India's Asia Cup Triumph Marred by Trophy Presentation Controversy: Team Refuses Handover from PCB Chief Naqvi

The Indian cricket team refused to collect the Asia Cup trophy, which was set to be handed over by the Asian Cricket Council President and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, following their victory in the final against Pakistan in Dubai, on Sunday. Naqvi also serves as the Interior Minister for Pakistan.

It is understood that the presentation ceremony was delayed as there was a standoff between the Indian team, which refused to collect the trophy from Naqvi, and Naqvi refusing to budge from his position to hand over the trophy to the winning team. It was eventually taken off the ground before the other presentations ensued. Pakistan collected their runners-up medals from Aminul Islam, the BCB President.

Eventually, while Tilak Varma, Kuldeep Yadav, and Abhishek Sharma collected their respective rewards from the sponsors, the Indian team didn't take their winner's medals and the winning trophy.

In the post-match press conference, India captain Suryakumar Yadav said, "This is one thing which I have never seen since I have started playing cricket, since I have started following cricket that a champion team is denied to get a trophy. That too a hard-earned one, it's not like we got it easily. It was a hard-earned tournament. We were here since the 4th, played two back-to-back good games. I feel we deserved it. I can't say anything more, I think I have summed it up really well, I can't say anything more about it," he said.

"If you tell me about the trophies, my trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys, all the support staff - those are the real trophies who I have been a big fan of throughout this journey of Asia Cup. Those are the real trophies, the real moments which I am taking back as lovely memories and which will stay forever," added Yadav.

Soon after India's five-wicket victory, the Board of Control for Cricket in India also announced a reward of INR 21 Crore for the players and the support staff.

More to follow...