Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has called for the suspension of the Indian cricket team after its refusal to collect the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.
Taking to X after the final in Dubai, Latif said India’s conduct was a blatant violation of cricket’s spirit. “Indian cricket team a good candidate for suspension from @ICC after refusing to collect the #AsiaCup2025 trophy and awards from the ACC Chairman. In any other sport, this would have been an open and shut case. But with ICC Chairman, CEO, CFO, Commercial chief, and head of Events and Communications being Indians, suspension seems unlikely,” Latif wrote.
Indian cricket team a good candidate for suspension from @ICC after refusing to collect the #AsiaCup2025 trophy and awards from the ACC Chairman. In any other sport, this would have been an open and shut case. But with ICC Chairman, CEO, CFO, Commercial chief, and head of Events… pic.twitter.com/b27IBWMSZy
— Rashid Latif | (@iRashidLatif68) September 28, 2025
He further condemned the team’s attitude, calling it a dark chapter for the sport. “Ugly day for cricket as India once again breached the spirit and essence of the gentleman’s game, that too in broad daylight,” he added.
The controversy erupted after India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final but refused to take the trophy from Naqvi, delaying the post-match ceremony. Organisers eventually carried the trophy away as the Indian players stayed on the ground, expecting it to be handed over later.
The incident capped a tournament marked by India’s confrontational stance.
Earlier in the event, Indian players had declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts and their captain avoided a pre-final photo with Pakistan’s skipper.