The Asia Cup 2025 continues to be surrounded by controversy, and this time it involves Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav. According to reports, Yadav has made it clear to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that if India lift the Asia Cup trophy, he will not receive it from ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
This development comes just days after the heated no-handshake incident following India’s commanding win over Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. The Indian players chose not to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, citing solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam attack.
“Handshake is Tradition, Not Law” – BCCI’s Earlier Response
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had already defended the team’s stance, clarifying that a handshake is only a tradition and not a rule in cricket. A senior BCCI official had said, “There is no law that binds players to shake hands after a match. It is a goodwill gesture, not a compulsion—especially when relations between the two countries remain tense.”
Reports suggest that Suryakumar Yadav has formally conveyed to the ACC that, if India win the title, he does not want Mohsin Naqvi to hand over the trophy. The ACC has been informed of this stance, which further highlights India’s strong political and emotional stand in the ongoing tournament.
On the other side, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had earlier lodged an official complaint with the ACC and the ICC, accusing India of breaching the spirit of cricket by refusing the handshake. PCB also demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, threatening to withdraw from the tournament if their request was ignored.
Although the ICC has not removed Pycroft, reports suggest he will not officiate in Pakistan’s upcoming matches.
If India advance to the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28, the trophy presentation could become yet another flashpoint between the two boards. Sources indicate that if protocol requires Naqvi to present the trophy, India may either decline or find an alternative arrangement.
For now, the cricket remains intense, but the political undertones around the India vs Pakistan rivalry have once again overshadowed the tournament.
