They ran away with the trophy, Suryakumar’s explosive claim

Even though the Asia Cup has ended, the heat of the battle refuses to die down. A fresh controversy has erupted surrounding the trophy presentation ceremony after the final. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has made a sensational allegation, claiming that Asian Cricket Council (ACC) officials themselves “ran away with the trophy!”

On Sunday in Dubai, India defeated Pakistan in the final to clinch their ninth Asia Cup title. However, drama unfolded immediately after the match during the presentation ceremony. The Indian team reportedly refused to accept the trophy from ACC president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The incident went viral on social media, sparking speculation that the decision came under instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or even the Indian government.

But in an interview with The Indian Express on Monday, Suryakumar Yadav dismissed such rumors outright. “Throughout the tournament, we received no instructions from either the BCCI or the government. The decision was entirely ours, made right there on the field,” he clarified.

Describing the incident, he added: “We were still standing on the field, not in the dressing room yet. I saw ACC officials talking among themselves on the stage. Soon after, boos began to rise from the gallery. At that exact moment, one of the officials suddenly grabbed the trophy and walked away. We were stunned. Honestly, they just ran away with the trophy.”

Suryakumar’s remarks have sparked fresh controversy across the cricket world, with Indian media and fans now questioning the whereabouts of the original trophy.

So far, neither the ACC nor president Mohsin Naqvi has issued an official response. Cricket analysts warn that if the matter isn’t clarified soon, the credibility of the Asian Cricket Council could come under serious scrutiny.

In cricket’s history, such an explosive allegation over a trophy presentation is virtually unprecedented. Thanks to the Indian captain’s direct claims, the Asia Cup’s final ceremony has now turned into one of the most talked-about controversies in international cricket.