As Team India refused to receive the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, the drama the followed was something no one expected. With Suryakumar Yadav‘s explosive post-match press conference to BCCI ready to lodge a formal complaint against Naqvi, it is quite visible that Team India is furious and has thus, reacted strongly to he entire Asia Cup trophy fiasco. But how are things on Pakistan’s side? Let’s find out.
Pak captain Salman Ali Agha throws away $75,000 runner-up cheque
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s anger was caught live during the post-match ceremony. He was seen throwing away the $75,000 runners-up cheque as the crowd booed. Earlier, the Pakistani team had stayed in the dressing room for over an hour, refusing to join the presentation. Watch here:
‘Senseless coaching, questionable captaincy’: Shoaib Akhtar slams Pak team
Former Pak cricketer Shoaib Akhtar lashed out at Pakistan’s team management on Tampad, where he pointed out Mike Hesson’s ‘senseless coaching’ for not picking Hasan Nawaz, and also slammed Pak captain Agha’s captaincy.
“It is the blame of the management who is not thinking right. Talking about senseless coaching, I would probably say. I probably – I am going to, sorry to say these kinds of harsh words, but it’s senseless coaching,” Akhtar said.
He voiced frustration over his team’s batting, saying the middle order failed to perform in important moments and that too much depended on lower-order players like Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf to score runs.
“Again, the match-winner Hasan Nawaz, and then we have Salman Mirza not playing. Again, it became a little difficult. We are very disappointed, very hurt. It was Super Sunday and the whole nation was watching, but our middle order is already a problem. You know it, I know it, we all keep saying our top three batsmen in the middle are a problem,” Akhtar said in complete frustration mode.
He further added that sending Shaheen Shah Afridi and Faheem Ashraf to bat ahead was a “questionable” decision. “Again, you expect the lower order to add 50 more runs, so we reach 175 – there are too many errors. Too many mistakes,” he said.
The Rawalpindi Express also slammed Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy, saying he made a questionable decision by giving overs to Haris Rauf instead of the spinners who were troubling the Indian batters. He noted that Rauf conceded 17 runs in one over, which was unnecessary, and pointed out that while there were several reasons for Pakistan’s loss, the overall performance was still acceptable. “There are many reasons we lost, but again, it’s okay. It’s fine,” Akhtar said.
‘Hum India se nahi jeet saktey’: Pak cricket fans take to social media with heartbroken posts
Like thousands of Pakistan cricket fans, many took to social media to express their frustration over the team’s defeat against India. In one of the videos that is going viral on social media, a Pak cricket fan can be seen saying, “Humari puri Pakistan jaye India se khelne, hum tab bhi India se nahi jeet saktey. Humari aukaat hi nahi hai (If entire Pakistan goes to play against India, we won’t be able to win even then. We are not of that status),” the fan was heard saying.
Another fan who was there at the Dubai International stadium told news agency ANI after the game, “Haris Rauf chakkey na khata toh hum jeet Jatey.” He was referring towards the end of the game when India needed 10 runs off the last over and Varma sealed the match in India’s favour by depositing Haris Rauf for a six on the second ball of the final over.
Wasim Akram slams Haris Rauf
As was pointed out by Akhtar, Haris Rauf was in the spotlight during India’s match against Pakistan, but this time it was for poor bowling rather than any controversial celebrations. He gave away 50 runs in just 3.5 overs and conceded the winning runs to Rinku Singh, handing India the title.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram who looked visibly distraught went on to criticise Rauf for giving away so many runs in a high-pressure game, pointing out that he has often struggled against India. Akram also noted that Rauf’s refusal to play red-ball cricket has prevented him from improving, and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should take action.
Akram further explained that without playing first-class games, Rauf lacks control and consistency. He suggested that if a player refuses to play red-ball cricket, they may not be suitable for the team.
“If he’s not going to play, you don’t want a player in your team who refuses to play red-ball cricket. At least play four or five first-class games,” Akram told Sony Sports.
Well, statistics support Akram’s criticism. Rauf has conceded 231 runs in seven T20Is against India, with an average of 25.66 and an economy rate of 8.66. His performance in the Asia Cup final added to a list of forgettable matches against India, including the 2022 T20 World Cup when Virat Kohli scored heavily against him, conceding 15 runs in a single over.