India refuse Asia Cup trophy during celebrations after beating Pakistan in thrilling final

India have beaten Pakistan by five wickets in the final to retain the Asia Cup, capping a remarkable unbeaten run with their third victory against their arch-rivals at this year’s tournament.

Needing 10 off the last over from Haris Rauf on Sunday, India’s hero proved to be Tilak Varma, who hit the second ball for a six to effectively seal their thrilling five-wicket victory and triggering wild celebration in the Indian camp.

Emotions had run high around the contest between the neighbours who engaged in a military conflict in May, and India refused the trophy seemingly because of the presence of Asian Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board boss Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister of Pakistan.

While the Indian team had refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, he reportedly refused to step down from the presentation ceremony altogether.

Before the ceremony began, an official also removed the Asia Cup trophy from the presentation podium. No explanation was provided from the ACC for this action.

“I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight,” MC Simon Doull said.

“So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”

This was after Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma had collected their individual awards – player of the match and tournament, respectively.

Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav also collected an award for his bowling performances through the tournament.

All three received their awards from sponsor representatives, and did not acknowledge or shake hands with Naqvi on the presentation stage.

The Pakistan team received its runners-up medals from Aminul Islam, the Bangladesh Cricket Board president, and the check from Naqvi.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav later claimed they were “denied” the trophy rather than refused it.

“This is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket, started following cricket — a champion team is denied a trophy, that too a hard earned one,” he said.

“I feel we deserved it. And I can’t say anything more.

“If you tell me about trophies, mine are sitting in the dressing room, all 14 guys with me, the support staff — those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup.”

Put in to bat in the showdown, Pakistan had not been able to capitalise on an 84-run opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) and were bundled out for 146 with five deliveries still left in their innings.

Pakistan lost their last nine wickets for 33 runs in a spectacular meltdown with India’s left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4-30) being the wrecker-in-chief.

Varma then anchored India’s nervy chase with an unbeaten 69 and Shivam Dube (33) provided some support as they reached their target with just two deliveries to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“Pretty amazing. Finishing the whole tournament unbeaten — it’s pretty amazing to be in this position,” India vice-captain Shubman Gill said, summing up their feelings after clinching their ninth Asia Cup title.

Gill said India’s ability to absorb pressure stood the reigning 20-overs world champions in good stead.

“The conversation was to take it as deep as possible,” he said of India’s chase.

“The target was not much but important to soak in the pressure. Losing three wickets early, never easy. The partnership with Sanju and Tilak, and then how Dube hit those big sixes — it was very important.”

Earlier, Pakistan got off to a strong start with Farhan leading their charge against an Indian attack weakened by the absence of their injured all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Pakistan scored 45 in the first six-over powerplay but soon stepped up on the gas.

With Farhan in full flow and Fakhar playing the ideal second fiddle, there was no inkling of the collapse lurking around until spinner Varun Chakravarthy (2-30) dismissed Farhan in the 10th over.

Kuldeep then took over, tying up the batters while Axar Patel picked up a couple of wickets to hasten Pakistan’s collapse. Jasprit Bumrah also finished with two wickets.

India’s start was rather wobbly as they lost their in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, also the tournament’s leading scorer, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav inside the first 10 deliveries.

They slumped to 3-20 after the exit of Gill but Varma and Sanju Samson (24) rebuilt the innings.

Even that recovery would not have been possible but for the reprieve Samson, then on 12, got when Hussain Talat dropped him in the deep.

Abrar Ahmed dismissed Samson to break the 57-run stand but Dube combined with Varma to take India closer to the target before falling in the penultimate over.