India’s Trophy Refusal Sends “Message to Pakistan”
After India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory over Pakistan, the father of a Pahalgam terror attack victim has praised the Indian cricket team for refusing to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Speaking to NDTV, Rajesh Narwal, father of Lieutenant Vinay Narwal who was killed in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, said:
“Our players and captain Suryakumar Yadav have shown that the nation comes first.”
Asia Cup Final Amid Border Tensions
On Sunday, Suryakumar Yadav-led India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets at the Dubai International Stadium. The match came just months after 26 Indian tourists were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, an incident New Delhi blames on groups backed by Pakistan.
Throughout the tournament, Indian players:
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Refused handshakes with the Pakistani team.
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Declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President.
Narwal said the team was “enraged” by the terror attack and wanted to send a strong symbolic message.
“Our players don’t hate Pakistani cricketers or sports. But it was important to signal something to Pakistan’s leadership and military,” he added.
Call for No Cricket With Pakistan
Despite praising the team’s stand, Narwal also said India should completely avoid playing against Pakistan.
“We should not play with a country that supports terrorism,” he said.
Suryakumar Yadav Donates Asia Cup Fees
Following the final, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav announced that he would donate his entire Asia Cup match fee to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Armed Forces.
“I have decided to donate my match fees to support our Armed Forces and the families of the Pahalgam victims. You are always in my thoughts. Jai Hind,” Yadav posted on X (formerly Twitter).
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Indian players earn ₹4 lakh per T20 match.
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With seven matches played, Yadav will donate ₹28 lakh in total.
He had earlier paid tribute to victims and soldiers after India’s group-stage win against Pakistan on September 14.
ICC Warning and Fine
Yadav’s political remarks led Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to file a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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The ICC fined Yadav 30% of his match fee and warned him against making political statements.
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Yadav pleaded not guilty, and the BCCI has appealed against the penalty at an ICC hearing last week.
