• Source:JND
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India vs Pakistan Final: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday criticized the Congress for not congratulating Team India on its Asia Cup victory. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari went as far as to label Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the "best friend" of Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir and accused the Congress party of acting against the nation's interests.

In a post on X ( Formerly Twitter ) BJP leader said , "On one hand, Rahul Gandhi has not yet congratulated the Indian cricket team on thrashing Pakistan on sports battlefield! On the other hand, When Pakistan is completely cornered, you have Congress leaders asking for sportsman spirit against Pakistan! Why does Congress always support Pakistan over India!"

Bhandari also called Congress the "B-team of Pakistan".

"In Operation Sindoor, Congress stood with Pakistan. In Operation Tilak, Congress stands with Pakistan. Rahul Gandhi is the best friend of Asim Munir!" he said.

Moreover, Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya also echoed the same sentiments. He said Team India's win against Pakistan has left Rahul Gandhi and his party in a "comatose state".

"Just like after Operation Sindoor, when they couldn't bring themselves to congratulate the Indian Army for its stupendous strikes, they now appear to be waiting for permission from Mohsin Naqvi and their other handlers in Pakistan before joining the nation in celebrating the Indian cricket team's success. Put that aside - not even a single social media post from Congress congratulating our national team for thrashing Pakistan thrice in the tournament and bringing the Asia Cup home," he said.

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Image Credits: PTI

As per Amit Malviya, the Congress, Rahul Gandhi, and Pakistan have "found themselves on the same side of the divide".

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AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj posted a video on X showing Indian players shaking hands with Naqvi "15 days ago". "They got a photo clicked too. But when there was opposition to the match in India, they gave the players a new script so that they could run propaganda in the country," he said.

Team India Refuses Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi win & gesture row

In a bizarre sequence of events, the Asia Cup trophy was not awarded to champions India at the presentation after they refused to accept the silverware from Pakistan minister and ACC president Mohsin Naqvi. The final, played at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai, took place amid Pakistan cricketers' provocative gestures on the field and Team India's refusal to shake hands with the men in green on account of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 people dead and forced India to launch Operation Sindoor.

There was drama aplenty following India's thrilling win in the Asia Cup final over arch-rivals here on Sunday, which culminated with the victors celebrating their triumph without the trophy.

The presentation ceremony finally began after a long delay but only individual performers were feted. Despite India's refusal to accept the trophy from him, Naqvi stood firm on the stage and eventually the trophy was not awarded to the winning team probably the first time on a cricket field.

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Team India had secured a thrilling five-wicket victory over Pakistan to lift the Asia Cup 2025 last night, marking their ninth triumph in the Continental tournament. Pakistan had crumbled to 146 all out in 19.1 overs, losing their last nine wickets for just 33 runs.

During the India-Pakistan match in the Super Fours stage, Pakistan's Haris Rauf had made a 'plane down' gesture towards Indian fans - referring to his country's baseless claims of downing Indian jets during Operation Sindoor. In response, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah made a similar gesture after taking Rauf's wicket, a clip which quickly went viral online.

Shortly after India's win, the presentation ceremony came to a standstill as Team India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief and Pakistani minister Mohsin Naqvi. Minutes later, Naqvi walked out of the stadium with the trophy and medals.

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Dignitaries waiting on the presentation platform talk to the umpires after India won the Asia Cup cricket final against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025 ( PTI )

However, Opposition hit out at Team India, accusing the central government of "staging a drama". Congress leader Udit Raj said, "A drama has been staged. When you have already played, what is the problem in taking the trophy? They are fooling us, this is all drama. This is a joke."

( With PTI inputs )