Dubai: India captain Suryakumar Yadav has openly addressed the controversy surrounding the 2025 Asia Cup post-match presentation ceremony, claiming that Pakistan officials “ran away with the trophy” after India’s thrilling five-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Suryakumar stated, “We didn’t close the door and sit inside the dressing room. We didn’t make anyone wait for the presentation ceremony. Trophy leke bhaag gaye woh (They ran away with the trophy). That’s what I saw. ”

He added that the Indian team was ready for the ceremony and did not delay or avoid it, refuting accusations that they sat inside the dressing room and refused to take the trophy.

The match, held in Dubai, lived up to its billing, delivering another nail-biter in the storied India-Pakistan rivalry. Rinku Singh sealed the victory for India with a boundary, triggering jubilant celebrations, but what followed was anything but routine.

The post-match ceremony descended into confusion and controversy. As per reports, it had been agreed that Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni would hand over the trophy. However, chaos unfolded when Pakistan’s team collected their runners-up medals and cheque, while India waited, only for the trophy to disappear from the stage.

Veteran broadcaster Simon Doull announced that India would not be receiving the trophy, and shortly thereafter, Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Mohsin Naqvi left the stadium. The presentation ceremony ended abruptly without the Indian players ever touching the trophy.

Suryakumar clarified that the decision not to receive the trophy from Naqvi wasn’t politically motivated, and no directives came from the BCCI or Indian government. “Let me make it clear, no one from the Government or the BCCI told us anything throughout the tournament that if someone gives a trophy, we won’t take it. We took that decision on our own on the ground,” he said.

He further explained that the Indian players were waiting near the podium for the presentation to begin. “They (ACC officials) were standing there on the stage and we were standing below. I saw them talking on stage and I don’t know the details of their chat. Some in the crowd started booing. And then we saw someone who was their representative taking the trophy and running away,” he added.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also confirmed that the Indian board will file a formal complaint against Naqvi for his actions during the presentation.