Overview

• India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in Dubai to claim a ninth Asia Cup title, with Tilak Varma unbeaten on 69 and Kuldeep Yadav leading a decisive bowling turnaround.
• BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed players refused to accept the trophy from ACC president and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, pausing the ceremony as Naqvi left with the silverware before officials retrieved it.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team with the message “#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins!” on X.
• BJP figures including Amit Malviya and Pradeep Bhandari accused Congress and Rahul Gandhi of not congratulating the team and suggested they were siding with Pakistan.
• Congress and AAP leaders criticized Modi’s framing and questioned playing Pakistan given the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, noting tense tournament optics such as India’s refusal to participate in customary handshakes.