Shastri Voices Displeasure Over Delayed Asia Cup Presentation

Dubai: Former Indian cricket figure Ravi Shastri conveyed his discontent regarding the extended delay of the presentation ceremony that followed India’s triumph over Pakistan in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

During a conversation with former Pakistani bowler Wasim Akram on an Indian sports platform, Shastri openly criticized the significant wait for the presentation ceremony to begin.

“With the crowd present and enthusiastic, creating an atmosphere befitting a final, it is absurd that we were kept waiting for 45 minutes without knowing what was happening,” Shastri stated.

The Indian team did not receive their winner’s medals or the Asia Cup trophy during the expected ceremony time.

This delay was due to a brief disagreement between the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Indian team. India declined to accept the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also holds the position of chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The closing ceremony, including all eight participating teams, began after a delay of one hour.

Individual awards were distributed during the ceremony. India’s Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma were acknowledged for their performances in the final. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was awarded the prize for his team finishing as runners-up.

Later, Kuldeep Yadav was named Best Bowler of the Tournament, and left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma received the Player of the Tournament award.

However, the ceremony concluded without the winning team being presented with the trophy. Presenter Simon Doull announced, “I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be accepting their awards tonight. This concludes the post-match presentation.”

Sources indicated that the delay was due to India’s refusal to receive the trophy from Naqvi, allegedly under instruction from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). ACC President Naqvi stood his ground and maintained his position.

India ultimately secured the Asia Cup 2025 title with a close five-wicket victory over Pakistan, marking their ninth continental title.