Dubai: The Indian team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy during the presentation ceremony that was delayed by more than an hour after they beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final.

They refused because the trophy was to be presented by Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the PCB and the Interior Minister of Pakistan.

“We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC Chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told reporters.

Once the presentation ceremony began, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma received their individual awards from other dignitaries on stage, and Pakistan Captain Salman Agha accepted the runners-up cheque from Naqvi, after which the ceremony came to an end.

“I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight,” Simon Doull, the presenter for the host broadcaster, said at the ceremony. “So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”