'Dedicate it to Pakistan Air Force': Shahid Afridi, Yunus reveal plan had India lost in Asia Cup final

India clinched the 2025 Asia Cup crown against Pakistan, but the post-match statements garnered equal attention. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav donated his match fees to the Indian Army, while Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha responded by donating his team's fees to civilians affected by an "Indian attack." However, Shahid Afridi has now revealed that the plan was to dedicate the win to the Pakistan Army had their side won in the final.

Pakistan's captain Salman Agha offered the team's entire match fees in the final to victims of the "Indian attack" and the children who were affected by it (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

India clinched their second T20 Asia Cup crown with a nail-biting five-wicket win over Pakistan in the 2025 final on Sunday, but the action on the field was only half the story. The post-match statements from both teams took as much spotlight as the cricket itself. Before the final, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi and Muhammad Yunus had said the team would dedicate the Asia Cup trophy to the Pakistan Air Force if they managed to win. Afridi even revealed that he had personally reached out to players with this suggestion, hoping to inspire them for the big clash.

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However, it was India who walked away with the title. Chasing 147 after dismissing Pakistan for 146, Suryakumar Yadav’s side got home with two balls to spare. Tilak Varma stood tall with a composed unbeaten 69, supported by Shivam Dube’s 33, ensuring India sealed the contest. This was India’s third win over Pakistan in the tournament, having already beaten them in the league stage and the Super Fours.Watch what Afridi and Yunus said here In the post-match press conference however, it was India captain Suryakumar Yadav that donated his match fees to the Indian Army. “As a gesture, I want to donate my match fees from all the games in this tournament to the Indian Army. I don’t know if people will call it controversial, but for me, it’s the right thing to do,” he said, before exiting.

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Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha followed suit in his own way. “We as a team, are donating our match fees to all the civilians who lost their lives during the Indian attack and to our kids who were affected by it. We are donating it to them,” he remarked, quickly wrapping up his press conference.

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