Whether it’s at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium or the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo or the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, the clash between the two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, has been marked by hot clashes between the players.

During the second fixture of the Indian side in the Men’s ACC Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha, the same trend continued as Naman Dhir received a brutal send-off from the off-spinner of the Pakistan side, Saad Masood, who had a hard look at the right-handed batter and asked him to leave the field.

See Also: Watch: Dhruv Jurel's sharp catch dismisses Aiden Markram during IND vs SA 1st Test in Kolkata

It was the fourth delivery of the ninth over when the right-handed batter clubbed the slow delivery from Masood into the hands of the cover fielder, having not got the same elevation he received while punching the shot. Immediately, the spinner looked into the eyes of Dhir and asked him to leave the field.

Watch: Naman Dhir gets brutal sendoff from Saad Masood during INDA vs PAKA Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025

Naman Dhir is the upcoming rising star for the Indian side who has been in fantastic touch in various contributions with the bat for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League. In the clash against the arch-rivals, the right-handed batter smashed a decent knock of 35 runs in 20 balls at a strike rate of 175 with the help of six boundaries and one six.

Saad Masood with a wicket 👏🏽 #PAKvIND

pic.twitter.com/G3Qh0RhTRp

— Usman (@jamilmusman_) November 16, 2025

In the first innings, India couldn’t put up a decent score with the bat, having been bundled out for 136 runs in 19 overs. Their left-handed young opening batter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, smashed 45 runs in 28 balls at a strike rate of 160.71, while the second best belonged to Dhir for 35.

In reply, Pakistan completed their 50 runs in the chase during the fifth over of the innings and lost just one wicket of Mohammad Naeem. Maaz Sadaqat was in a prime touch with 56 runs in 36 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes. They were ahead of the clash in the first half and were likely to pocket the game.

India A came into the second fixture of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 against Pakistan A at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha after their massive victory over the United Arab Emirates, where their 14-year-old opening batter, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, crunched a fine century and tore apart the opponent's bowling.

India were at a good position of 791/1 in the ninth over before losing their track and kept losing wickets in a cluster from one end. This created a panic button among the middle order, who couldn’t put up a great show with the bat and ended up with low scores individually. This resulted in the side putting a low score in their allotted 20 overs of the innings.

See Also: Know updated WTC 2025-27 points table after India’s 30-run defeat against South Africa

But a brilliant shot came from Ramandeep Singh, who smashed the left-arm spinner of the Pakistan side, Maaz Sadaqat, over the covers with the spin to collect six runs, which was an excellent shot to play against someone high in confidence with two wickets.

Watch: Ramandeep Singh crunches huge 6 during INDA vs PAKA Rising Stars 2025

Pakistan A won the toss and decided to bowl first on a surface that was a little slow to start with. Priyansh Arya again ended up with a low score of 10 runs in nine balls with the help of two boundaries at a strike rate of 111.11, while Suryavanshi clubbed 45 runs in 28 balls at a strike rate of 160.71, smashing five boundaries and three sixes.

Inside-out… and boom 💥

Ramandeep Singh finally breaks the long wait with a blazing extra-cover hit.

Watch India A take on Pakistan A, LIVE NOW, on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #DPWorldAsiaCupRisingStars2025 pic.twitter.com/s9wWUMdq5N

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) November 16, 2025

The number three batter of the Blue Brigade, Naman Dhir, cracked a fine knock of 35 runs in 20 balls with the help of six boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 175. Their middle order fell like a pack of cards as they lost seven wickets for 35 runs in around seven overs and got bundled out for 136.

Pakistan went off to a flying start with 50 coming in the fifth over without any damage. Their opening batter, Mohammad Naeem, ended with 29 unbeaten runs in 16 balls at a strike rate of 181.25, while Sadaqat smashed 15 unbeaten runs.

After the men’s team skipped handshakes with Pakistan players during their Asia Cup victory, the BCCI has reportedly extended the same directive to the women’s side. Ahead of their ICC Women’s World Cup league clash against Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday, the players have been told to avoid the customary post-match handshake, The Indian Express reported. 

BCCI Advises Women’s Team to Avoid Handshakes with Pakistan at World Cup

According to sources, the message was conveyed before the team’s departure for Sri Lanka on Wednesday. “The team won’t be shaking hands with Pakistan during the World Cup. The BCCI bosses have informed the players, and the board will stand firmly behind them,” a senior official confirmed.

India’s men’s team faced Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup in the UAE, including the final, where they clinched victory by five wickets. For the woman, the upcoming clash will be their second World Cup outing after opening with a win against Sri Lanka in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Will there be handshakes when India & Pakistan women toss on Sunday at the World Cup? BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia tells me there is “no change” in their relationship with Pakistan. Interview in BBC Stumped pod out tomorrow: https://t.co/TvHf1tyBIS #bbcstumped #bbccricket pic.twitter.com/jKjIbcOE3z

— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) October 1, 2025

The Asia Cup was shadowed by repeated mentions of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, and India’s Operation Sindoor, targeting terror bases in PoK and Pakistan, sparking a brief military standoff. Tensions deepened further when India’s men’s team refused to receive the trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister and PCB chief. The BCCI later accused Naqvi of withholding the trophy.

ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer and Priyansh Arya shine as India A score 400+ in 1st unofficial ODI against Australia A

During a virtual ACC meeting on Tuesday, BCCI representatives pressed Naqvi for clarity on when the trophy and medals would be delivered. Dissatisfied with his response, they walked out midway. Responding, Naqvi said: “Let me be very clear, I have done nothing wrong and I have never apologised to the BCCI, nor will I ever do so. As ACC chairman, I was ready to hand over the trophy that very day and remain ready even now. If they truly want it, they are welcome to come to the ACC office and collect it from me.”

While the Indian cricket team didn't receive the winning medals and the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi after winning the Asia Cup 2025 last Sunday (September 28) night at Dubai, the controversy erupted after the ACC chief, who is also the chief of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has later taken the Asia Cup trophy into his custody. Here we have brought the latest update on the Asia Cup 2025 trophy saga.

Asia Cup 2025 Trophy row: How can it be resolved?

On Tuesday (September 30) afternoon, the ACC members met in Dubai to talk about the matter of the Asia Cup 2025 trophy. According to the latest Cricbuzz report, the five Test-playing Asian members will have to resolve it.

Although the Indian team was ready to accept the trophy from Emirates Board vice chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, the request was rejected by the ACC. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has fumed over the ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi's late action after the Indian team refused to take the winning medals and trophy from him. 

Asia Cup 2025 Trophy Standoff: Mohsin Naqvi Holds Trophy in Dubai Hotel, BCCI Demands Immediate Handover

BCCI can take the matter to ICC

While Naqvi has taken the trophy into his custody, the BCCI has already threatened to take this matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). According to media reports, Naqvi took the trophy to his hotel room, while the BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla reminded him at Tuesday's ACC meeting that the trophy is the ACC property, which couldn't be treated as personal. 

Tuesday's ACC meeting had a heated conversation between the ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, and BCCI representatives Rajiv Shukla and Ashish Shelar, who joined the meeting virtually. Naqvi hasn't agreed to return the trophy to the Indian team during the meeting, while he only congratulated India for winning the Asia Cup 2025 after Shelar forced him.

Asia Cup champions India did not collect the winners’ trophy after their victory on Sunday. According to PTI, the Indian cricket team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and head of the country’s cricket board. As Naqvi waited for the presentation, Indian players stayed about 15 yards away, refusing to move, which delayed the ceremony.

The Indian team management asked who would present the trophy, and ACC officials quickly realized their chairman was not acceptable to the team. When Naqvi eventually stepped on stage, Indian fans began booing and chanted "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." The Indian team made it clear they would not accept the trophy from him and planned to lodge an official protest. In response, an organizer quietly took the trophy into the Indian dressing room.

India had already signaled their stand to the ACC by not shaking hands with Pakistani players during the three Asia Cup matches or participating in the usual pre-toss photoshoots.

IND vs PAK, Final: Post-Match Tension

Pakistani players stayed in their dressing room for nearly an hour after the match, leaving their chairman alone and embarrassed. When Salman Agha and his teammates finally came out, the crowd loudly chanted, "Indiaaaa, Indiaaaa."

See Also: 'Operation Sindoor on the Games Field' - PM Modi hails after India’s IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025 win

It was expected that India would not accept the trophy from Naqvi, who had earlier posted cryptic videos referencing Cristiano Ronaldo’s “plane crash” celebration. This was widely seen as a reference to Pakistan’s claims that six Indian jets were downed during ‘Operation Sindoor’. This incident highlighted that the tension and rivalry cloaked within the India-Pakistan contest extended off the field as well as on it.

India and Pakistan are getting ready for the Asia Cup 2025 Final, which will be played on Sunday (September 28) in Dubai. While the India vs Pakistan match is now very different than previous times, the tension is rising, especially after the news that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi will hand over the trophy to the tournament-winning captain on Sunday.  

Actually the PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is also the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). So, it was very much expected that he would present the trophy to the winning captain, maintaining the tournament culture. On the other hand, the relationships between Indian and Pakistani cricketers are now very different. While India have decided not to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers in protest of the 2025 Pahalgam attack, in their last meeting, at the Super Fours of the Asia Cup 2025, a few Pakistani cricketers' on-field actions were controversially provocative. 

Even Mohsin Naqvi entered the controversy with his recent social media post of Cristiano Ronaldo's celebration, which was similar to Pakistan cricketer Haris Rauf's provocative on-field action "plane crash", for which the Pakistan cricketer has been fined. On the other hand, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has been fined for his post-match comments after their first meeting in the Asia Cup 2025 in the group stage (Group A).

See Also: Hardik Pandya to miss India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Final? Morne Morkel's comment raises tension

Let's see what the BCCI decides

While it is clear now that the PCB chief will present the trophy, it will be interesting to see what the reaction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

A tournament insider told PTI, "As of now, information is that he will come this evening and obviously, as ACC chairman, he will be giving away the winner's trophy. Let's see what the BCCI decides."

PCB Chief wasn't present during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final

A similar situation happened during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Final, which was held last March in Dubai, and India won that title. As Pakistan was the original host of that tournament, the PCB chief was expected to present the trophy. But in the absence of the PCB chief, ICC Chairman Jay Shah presented that trophy. Although the PCB chief operating officer Sumair Ahmed was present on the ground, who was also the tournament director, he couldn't join the podium reportedly due to the rules of the ICC tournament. 

India and Pakistan's tense situation has affected cricket, particularly in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. While Pakistan cricketer Haris Rauf has been criticised for his action in the latest India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the President of Asian Cricket Council (ACC), has entered the controversy with his recent social media post.

Last Sunday (September 21), during the India vs Pakistan Super Fours clash, while India thrashed Pakistan by six wickets, their second comfortable win against Pakistan in the tournament, Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf entered the controversy for his on-field fighter-jet falling gesture. In that same game, Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farzan also had a controversial celebration of mimicking the act of firing an AK-47 after completing his half-century. 

See Also: Shaheen Shah Afridi speaks out on Haris Rauf’s controversial actions vs India

Watch: What PCB chief and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi has done to add controversy

Now, the PCB chief and ACC President Mohsin Naqvi has entered the controversy. When the only unbeaten side of the Asia Cup 2025 India were playing against Bangladesh in the Super Fours, PCB chief posted a video on his X account, where the legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo was celebrating very similarly to Pakistan cricketer Haris Rauf's recent fighter-jet falling gesture.

While it was clear the celebration was for scoring a goal for his present Saudi club Al-Hilal, it wasn't Ronaldo's new goal celebration. Actually, Ronaldo brought the celebration last February, when the fans were confused about the meaning of that celebration. But the major point of Mohsin Naqvi's post is the timing of the post. While it is not Ronaldo's present celebration, why the important face of the tournament has posted it is a big question. Even some Pakistanis have raised questions about that post. 

pic.twitter.com/1zbuJvz7m0

— Mohsin Naqvi (@MohsinnaqviC42) September 24, 2025

Although Pakistan are publicly telling to keep the political issues between the two countries aside during the Asia Cup 2025, they have created several ruckuses in the ongoing tournament.

While India have decided not to shake hands against Pakistan during their matches in the Asia Cup 2025 as a protest of 2025 Pahalgam attack, which is not a breach of any official law, as the handshake is not mandatory in any international cricket matches, the PCB has created many issues over it, including demanding the match referee's suspension, the Indian captain's suspension, forcing a one-hour delay of their last group stage match against the hosts United Arab Emirates, which was also their must-win fixture to qualify for the Super Fours. 

The Pakistan cricketers' unnecessary poor on-field behaviours in their last match against India were also questionable, especially Sahibzada Farzan's half-century celebration and Haris Rauf's controversial gesture. 

Asia Cup 2025: India in Final; Bangladesh and Pakistan fighting for the other Final spot

The only unbeaten side of the tournament India have qualified for the Final of the Asia Cup 2025 after beating Bangladesh by 41 runs on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Pakistan will face each other on Thursday (September 25), where the winners will advance to the Final, and the losers will be eliminated from the tournament. 

Sri Lanka chose to bowl first after winning the toss against Hong Kong in their second Asia Cup 2025 match. They were excellent in their first game against Bangladesh, with both bat and ball, and will look to keep up the same momentum today.

There’s one change in their playing XI Matheesha Pathirana has been replaced by Maheesh Theekshana. This means Sri Lanka have gone with only two fast bowlers, while Theekshana will team up with Wanindu Hasaranga to take charge of the spin attack.

The decision to rest Pathirana makes sense. The Dubai pitch is quite dry and is expected to help spinners more than pacers. Theekshana can be a match-winner on such pitches and could trouble the Hong Kong batters.

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2025, HK vs SL, Match 8: Hong Kong vs Sri Lanka Toss update and Playing XI

Pathirana also didn’t have the best outing against Bangladesh, going wicketless and conceding 42 runs. On top of that, he has a history of injuries, so the team wants to manage his workload carefully and keep him fresh for bigger matches later in the tournament. With Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara will lead the pace attack , Sri Lanka will hope their bowlers can get the job done and keep their winning run alive.

The no handshake controversy became more complicated as some recent claims suggested that Pakistan threatened to boycott their upcoming Asia Cup 2025 match against the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Match referee Andy Pycroft quickly took the center of all controversies after the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint against him, alleging Pycroft misused his position when he instructed the two captains, Suryakumar Yadav of India and Salam Agha of Pakistan, not to shake hands at the toss. Pakistan asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to remove him from the panel of referees for the ongoing Asia Cup. It is reported that PCB said to ICC that if their demands fail to be met, then they can withdraw from the tournament as well.

"The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the match referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup. Mohsin Naqvi, PCB chairman and Asian Cricket Council head, announced this through a social media post, as per media reports. 

Read More: Asia Cup 2025, UAE vs OMA Match 7: UAE vs Oman Toss update and Playing XI

According to the report, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is considering sanctions against India for the no handshake incident. But BCCI, as of now, denied receiving any complaint from ACC. 

Pakistan threatened to plugged out of Asia Cup 2025 in protest

Why did Team India deny shaking hands with Pakistan? Captain Surya Kumar Yadav explained that they were in the field only to play the game. With the dominating win, he and his boys wanted to make a proper reply. 

"Our government and BCCI were aligned together. The rest, we came here, we took a call. I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave them a proper reply. Few things in life are ahead of the sportsman spirit. We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, and we stand with their families. As I said, we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor", Yadav said. 

In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has agreed to attend the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 24, a move that could help clear the path for the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup, currently set to be hosted by the UAE in September.

Initially, the BCCI had objected to the meeting being held in Dhaka, citing India’s strained diplomatic ties with Bangladesh. Reports suggested that the Indian board, supported by cricketing nations like Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Oman, had requested the meeting be moved to a neutral venue. However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi remained firm on holding the gathering in the Bangladeshi capital.

After weeks of impasse, the BCCI has softened its stance, though not entirely. While senior BCCI officials will not travel to Dhaka, vice-president Rajeev Shukla will attend the meeting virtually. This move was confirmed by Times of India journalist Gaurav Gupta, who noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the "decks are clearing up for Asia Cup in UAE in September."

The President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, Aminul Islam Bulbul, welcomed the President of the Asian Cricket Council, Mohsin Naqvi, with a bouquet of flowers. Mr. Naqvi arrived in Dhaka ahead of the ACC Annual General Meeting, marking a significant moment for Asian cricket. pic.twitter.com/doqWpXPZRb

— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) July 23, 2025

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BCCI Steps In Virtually: Asia Cup 2025 Talks Begin Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

The meeting is expected to determine Team India’s participation in the continental event. While the Asia Cup has traditionally been a warm-up for the T20 World Cup, which follows in 2026, the political climate between India and Pakistan continues to cast a shadow over India’s presence.

Interestingly, the BCCI's attendance at the ACC meeting comes at a time of internal transition, as Board president Roger Binny has very recently turned 70 - the maximum age for BCCI office-bearers. Binny is now expected to leave, and Rajeev Shukla could soon take a greater leadership role in Indian cricket.

In the meantime, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Dhaka, greeted warmly by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam Bulbul. The ACC meeting could either represent a fresh start for India-Pakistan bilateral relations or confirm the current status quo owing to the resolution of Asia Cup logistics. For now, BCCI logging in digitally indicates they are willing to engage - but with caution firmly in place.