Before the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and team mentor Muhammad Yunus revealed plans to dedicate the trophy to the Pakistan Air Force if Pakistan had won the match against India. Afridi personally reached out to inspire the team with this tribute, aiming to boost morale for the high-stakes clash. However, India triumphed in the final, winning by five wickets with Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 playing a key role. In the aftermath, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav donated his entire match fees to the Indian Army and the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha responded by declaring that his team would donate their match fees to civilians and children affected by India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. The tournament was marked by escalating tensions, culminating in India refusing to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, highlighting the ongoing political strain shadowing the cricketing rivalry. The planned tribute to the Pakistan Air Force remained unfulfilled due to the Indian victory.