Salman Agha: India's Trophy Snub is "Disrespectful" to Cricket Spirit

Pakistan cricket captain Salman Ali Agha expressed deep frustration at India’s conduct during the Asia Cup 2025, labelling it “disrespectful” to the spirit of cricket in a heated post-match press conference following their defeat in the final on Sunday. India secured a thrilling five-wicket victory at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, chasing 147 with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 off 53 balls sealing their ninth Asia Cup title. However, the match was overshadowed by controversy when the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and a prominent Pakistani political figure.

The trophy snub marked the culmination of tensions that began earlier in the tournament, with India declining handshakes after their group-stage and Super Four wins against Pakistan on September 14 and later. Agha, addressing reporters, called India’s actions a disservice to the game: “They are disrespecting cricket. A good team will never behave this way.” He highlighted Pakistan’s sportsmanship, noting his team waited to receive their runners-up medals and posed for pre-match photos with the trophy. Agha suggested that Yadav’s refusal to shake hands publicly was driven by external instructions, revealing that the Indian captain had privately shaken hands with him at the tournament’s outset during a press conference and a referee’s meeting.

The controversy stems from heightened India-Pakistan tensions, exacerbated by the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir. India’s team, dedicating their campaign to the victims and armed forces, viewed Naqvi’s dual role as ACC chief and a Pakistani official as sensitive, prompting their protest. Naqvi, upset by India’s stance, reportedly took the trophy and medals to his hotel room, leaving India to celebrate without them. Suryakumar Yadav, undeterred, mimicked a trophy lift on the podium and later announced donating his match fees—approximately ₹28 lakh from seven games—to the armed forces and Pahalgam victims’ families.

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Agha’s remarks have fuelled debate about sportsmanship amid geopolitical strains, with the BCCI planning to lodge a formal complaint with the ICC over Naqvi’s handling of the trophy presentation. The first-ever India-Pakistan Asia Cup final since the tournament’s inception in 1984 was already charged with emotion, amplified by earlier incidents like Ravi Shastri skipping the toss interview and Yadav avoiding pre-final formalities. Despite the off-field drama, India’s on-field dominance—winning all three encounters against Pakistan—underscored their prowess. As both teams move forward, Agha’s call for mutual respect highlights the challenge of keeping cricket above the fray in a rivalry steeped in history and emotion.

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