The Asia Cup 2025 has been plunged into deeper turmoil after India captain Suryakumar Yadav reportedly told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that he will not accept the tournament trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi if India wins the final. The warning comes amid escalating tensions following the no-handshake controversy between India and Pakistan.

The Indian skipper made his stance clear to avoid what he described as an “unacceptable” situation on the presentation stage. This demand has added another layer of complexity to a tournament already marred by disputes between the PCB, ICC, and ACC. Pakistan has threatened to pull out of the competition, while the ICC has been forced to reassign match referees following objections from both boards.

The controversy began with Pakistan’s objection to India’s no-handshake gesture before their match, which PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi claimed was sprung upon them without prior agreement. The issue has since escalated into a diplomatic flashpoint. While Pakistan demanded the removal of referee Andy Pycroft, the ICC reassigned duties to Ritchie Richardson for upcoming matches.

Suryakumar Yadav’s latest objection reflects India’s dissatisfaction with Naqvi’s role as both PCB and ACC chief, raising questions about neutrality in overseeing the tournament. Naqvi is expected to address Pakistan’s participation in the tournament soon, but his presence at the trophy ceremony is now uncertain. With the Asia Cup already overshadowed by politics, this latest standoff has left cricket fans across Asia questioning whether the spirit of the game is being sidelined by off-field controversies.