Asia Cup 2025: How SKY & Co partied after beating Pakistan — with cheers, selfies, and no trophy | WATCH

Indian team members celebrate their vicotry at the end of the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 international cricket final match between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 28, 2025. (AFP)

For the first time in the history of cricket, the winners of a tournament were not awarded the trophy. But that didn't stop the victorious side from celebrating.

The unprecedented scenes in Dubai will remain etched in the memories of every cricket lover, as the Indian team led by Suryakumar Yadav remained trophy-less after the Men in Blue refused to accept the trophy from ACC chair Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the PCB chief and Pakistan's interior minister.

After dramatic visuals showed Team India ignoring Naqvi for over an hour, the winners broke into celebrations as if the trophy were already in their hands.

Champions in spirit! Team India celebrates Asia Cup glory without the trophy. 🇮🇳❤️ #AsiaCup2025 #INDvPAK #IndiaVsPakistan pic.twitter.com/cTwTBqdMmx

— MD Raju 🇮🇳 (@MDRaju_Live) September 29, 2025

In fact, Hardik Pandya, who missed the final due to a niggle, even "posed" with an imaginary trophy on the grounds of the Dubai International Stadium. Skipper Yadav also mimicked lifting the trophy amid loud chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" that echoed across the stadium.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Agha refused to accept the runners-up cheque, tossing it aside during the controversy-marred post-match presentation ceremony.

What happened in Dubai after India clinched Asia Cup?

After nearly an hour of deadlock and rising tension, the trophy was quietly removed backstage, never making its way to the Indian team before the crowd.

Once the officials had dispersed, the Indian players returned to the dais. Confetti filled the air, the victory anthem played, and the team posed for photographs, celebrating with their fans.

But the trophy was nowhere to be seen. Having marked their triumph on their own terms, India eventually walked out of the stadium without the silverware.

Reports suggest that India had already conveyed to the ACC that they would not accept the trophy if it was to be presented by Mohsin Naqvi, citing recent controversies, including his cryptic social media posts.