New Delhi, September 29 (HS): Despite clinching the Asia Cup title with a five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final, India declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.Led by Suryakumar Yadav, Team India lifted the Asia Cup for a record ninth time.

However, the post-match presentation ceremony turned controversial after Pakistan delayed proceedings by almost an hour following the last ball of the game. While Naqvi was present to hand out medals and the trophy, events unfolded differently.

Presenter Simon Doull initially announced that Naqvi would present the runners-up medals to Pakistan players, but instead, Bangladesh’s Aminul Islam distributed them. Naqvi only handed over the runners-up cheque to Pakistan skipper Salman Agha.

Doull later informed the audience that Indian players had refused to receive the winner’s medals and trophy from Naqvi. Consequently, the ceremony had to be cut short abruptly, with the Indian team celebrating only with the champions’ banner.

Notably, reports ahead of the final had already suggested that the Indian side would reject the trophy presentation by the Pakistan board chief. During the tournament, Indian players had also avoided post-match handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts.

At the toss, Suryakumar Yadav skipped any formal greeting with Salman Agha, while after the final, Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh refrained from shaking hands with Pakistan players.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar