The recently concluded Asia Cup 2025 was marked by a series of heated controversies whenever India and Pakistan met on the field.
From no-handshake episode on September 14 to PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi taking the trophy after the final, the tournament witnessed several unprecedented moments. Amid these tensions, questions arose about whether the two nations will face each other again in upcoming tournaments.
BCCI Responds to Speculation
Former England captain Michael Atherton suggested that the ICC should avoid scheduling India-Pakistan games until relations improve. When asked about this, a BCCI official clarified that while such ideas sound simple, cancelling these high-profile matches is nearly impossible due to commercial commitments.
A BCCI official told Dainik Jagran: “It’s easy to talk about all this, but will sponsors and broadcasters agree to it? In today’s situation, if any major team, not just India, withdraws from a tournament, it will be difficult to attract sponsors.”
India and Pakistan faced each other three times during Asia Cup tournament, with India securing victory on all three occasions. These encounters were particularly significant, marking the first time the two sides met on the cricket field following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.
Asia Cup 2025 Marred by Controversies
The Asia Cup saw multiple flashpoints – players clashing on the field, India refusing a handshake, and PCB’s handling of the post-final ceremony – all of which deepened the rift. Despite the tension, BCCI’s stance suggests that India-Pakistan cricket ties are unlikely to end anytime soon.
Asia Cup Trophy not handed over to India
India fans slammed Mohsin Naqvi for his shocking act of taking away Asia Cup 2025 trophy after India’s win in the final.
The controversy erupted on September 28, when India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the title clash at the Dubai International Stadium. After the match, Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, leading to a heated standoff that delayed the presentation ceremony for nearly an hour.
Despite several attempts to resolve the issue, the situation remained tense, and the ceremony was abruptly called off.
Indian players like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Kuldeep Yadav collected their individual awards, the main trophy was not handed over. Naqvi then reportedly left the venue with the trophy, which is now at the ACC headquarters.