UAE, Sep.29,2025:The Asia Cup Final 2025 Controversy has dominated cricket discussions after India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling match in Dubai. While India celebrated a five-wicket win to secure the championship, the post-match events involving the trophy presentation overshadowed the cricketing brilliance on display-
Former Pakistan cricketers, including Kamran Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shoaib Akhtar, and Ramiz Raja, have voiced strong criticism of both Pakistan’s performance and India’s refusal to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Home Minister and ACC President.
India’s Victory and the Trophy Refusal That Sparked Debate
India chased down 147 runs in 19.4 overs, thanks to a stellar 69 not out by Tilak Varma and 33 runs by Shivam Dube. Despite this emphatic win, the moment turned controversial when Team India refused to accept the trophy.
According to BCCI officials, the decision was taken collectively by the players in advance, citing political sensitivities. But for Pakistani cricketers and fans, the refusal felt like an insult to the spirit of the game.
Kamran Akmal Slams Batting Failures
Former wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal did not hold back. He called Pakistan’s batting the biggest weakness of the tournament.
“You don’t become a good team by chanting modern cricket slogans. Preparation and selection matter. Batting struggled throughout the Asia Cup. Constant experiments with the batting order hurt us badly,” Akmal said on The Game Plan YouTube channel.
He urged the management to play players in their natural positions instead of unnecessary experiments, warning that otherwise Pakistan would continue to collapse against stronger teams.
Shoaib Malik Points Out Lack of Awareness
Ex-captain Shoaib Malik criticized the team’s lack of game awareness. Speaking on Tapmad, Malik highlighted that both batting and bowling strategies failed.
“When three wickets had fallen, Pakistan needed to change gears. Instead, they repeated mistakes. Game awareness was zero. In-form batsmen should have been sent up the order,” Malik said.
He emphasized that conditions were misread, and Pakistan failed to adapt with either batting or field placements.
Shoaib Akhtar Blames Management and Captaincy
Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar was even more direct, pointing fingers at the team management and captaincy.
“This is not just about players. It’s poor decision-making by management. I call it senseless coaching. We needed 175 runs; 147 was never enough against India,” Akhtar said on Tapmad.
He further criticized bowling changes, questioning why pacer Haris Rauf was introduced when spin wasn’t working, instead of exploring alternatives.
Ramiz Raja Questions Pakistan’s Mental Strength
Former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja acknowledged that Pakistan had India under pressure in the powerplay, but the team failed to capitalize.
“Once again, Pakistan handed over a winning game to India. Mental toughness is lacking. Bowlers like Kuldeep Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah showed how to fight back, but Pakistan doesn’t have such resilience,” Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.
Ramiz concluded that India’s technique, mental strength, and adaptability were far superior in this tournament.
Reactions on India’s Trophy Decision
The trophy controversy turned out to be the biggest headline.
- Kamran Akmal: “Not accepting the trophy goes against the spirit of cricket. If you had issues, raise them in meetings, not on the ground.”
- Pakistan captain Salman Agha: “Refusing the trophy was an insult to cricket itself.”
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the refusal was a collective decision by the players, supported by captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Fans in Islamabad Express Anger and Hope
In Islamabad, fans gathered at parks, restaurants, and homes to watch the high-voltage clash. Their reactions were mixed:
- Some praised Pakistan’s early bowling.
- Many criticized the middle-order collapse.
- Several felt captaincy errors cost the game.
Yet, fans expressed hope that the team would learn from mistakes and return stronger.
India vs Pakistan Rivalry
The India-Pakistan rivalry has always been more than just cricket. With trophy refusals, heated statements, and back-to-back matches, this rivalry often transcends sports, fuelling political and emotional narratives on both sides.
The Asia Cup Final 2025 Controversy only added another layer to this storied rivalry, making it one of the most talked-about sporting events of the year.
Lessons from Asia Cup Final 2025 Controversy
The Asia Cup Final 2025 Controversy will be remembered not only for India’s brilliant win but also for the heated aftermath. Former cricketers from Pakistan have raised valid concerns about batting failures, leadership flaws, and lack of awareness.
At the same time, the trophy refusal by India has sparked a debate on sportsmanship vs politics in cricket.
