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VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ATP TOUR JAPAN OPEN SEMI-FINAL MATCHES RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (ATP/IMG MEDIA – see restrictions before use) CARLOS ALCARAZ (MAROON OUTFIT) BEAT CASPER RUUD 3-6 6-3 6-4 1. CASPER RUUD ARRIVING ON COURT 2. CARLOS ALCARAZ ARRIVING ON COURT FIRST SET 3. ALCARAZ WINS POINT WITH LOB 4. ALCARAZ REACTS 5. FANS APPLAUD 6. RUUD WINS POINT WITH LOB 7. RUUD REACTS 8. ALCARAZ HITS BACKHAND LONG, RUUD TAKES FIRST SET 9. RUUD WALKS ACROSS COURT SECOND SET 10.  ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER 11. ALCARAZ REACTS 12. FANS APPLAUD 13. ALCARAZ HITS ACE TO TAKE SECOND SET 14. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES THIRD SET 15. ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER 16. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 17. FANS APPLAUD 18. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 19. RUUD NETS BACKHAND, ALCARAZ BREAKS 20. ALCARAZ REACTS 21. ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER TO WIN MATCH 22. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES/PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET 23. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 24. ALCARAZ'S BOX 25. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES/WAVES TO FANS TAYLOR FRITZ (WHITE AND BLACK TSHIRT) BEAT JENSON BROOKSBY (WHITE TSHIRT) 6-3 6-3 FIRST SET 26. JENSON BROOKSBY HITS FOREHAND WINNER 27. BROOKSBY REACTS 28. BROOKSBY HITS FOREHAND WINNER 29. BROOKSBY REACTS 30. BROOKSBY PREPARES TO SERVE 31. BROOKSBY HITS BACKHAND LONG, TAYLOR FRITZ TAKES FIRST SET 32. FRITZ CELEBRATES 33. FRITX'S BOX CELEBRATE SECOND SET 34. FRITZ HITS BACKHAND WINNER 35. FRITZ REACTS 36. BROOKSBY HITS BACKHAND LONG, FRITZ BREAKS FOR 3-1 LEAD 37. FRITZ WALKING ON COURT 38. FRITZ HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 39. FRITZ CELEBRATES/PLAYERS MEET AT NET 40. PLAYERS SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 41. FRITZ CELEBRATESE STORY: World number one Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to beat Casper Ruud 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Monday (September 29) and reach the Japan Open final, where he will meet second seed Taylor Fritz with the chance to claim his eighth title of the year. Alcaraz will also be seeking revenge in Tuesday's (September 30) clash in Tokyo after a shock defeat by Fritz in the Laver Cup in San Francisco this month, his first loss to the American in four career meetings. The six-times Grand Slam champion wasted four chances to break Ruud early and let out screams of frustration when his Norwegian opponent closed in on the first set with sublime shot-making from the back of the court and at the net. Having dropped the first set, Alcaraz came out all guns blazing in the next and levelled the scores with a huge ace, before turning on the style to break for a 3-2 lead in the decider and securing the win. American Fritz earlier saw off compatriot Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-3 with flawless serving in tough moments to reach his third final of the season after claiming grasscourt titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE COMMENTS FROM INDIA CAPTAIN SURYAKUMAR YADAV AFTER VICTORY OVER PAKISTAN IN ASIA CUP FINAL/STILL IMAGES FROM MATCH RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ANI – No use India) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, SURYAKUMAR YADAV, SAYING: "This is one thing which I have never seen, since I started playing cricket, since I started following cricket that a champion team is denied to get a trophy…I mean that too a hard earned one. It's not like it happened easily…it was a hard earned tournament. We were here since 4th (September), played a game today…two back to back games in two days. I feel we deserved it." DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 2. INDIA PLAYERS CELEBRATE WINNING THE ASIA CUP DURING THE TROPHY PRESENTATION 3. INDIA'S ABHISHEK SHARMA CELEBRATES AFTER WINNING THE ASIA CUP DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ANI – No use India)  4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, SURYAKUMAR YADAV, SAYING: "If you tell me about the trophies…my trophies are sitting in my dressing room. All the 14 guys with me, all the support staff, those are the real trophies…who I have been a big fan of throughout this journey of Asia Cup." DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 5. INDIA PLAYERS CELEBRATE WINNING THE ASIA CUP 6. INDIA'S TILAK VARMA CELEBRATES AFTER WINNING THE ASIA CUP DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ANI – No use India)  7. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) INDIAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, SURYAKUMAR YADAV, SAYING: "The win is important. If you saw after the match, 'India, Asia Cup 2025 Champions' was written on the big screen. What's better than this? Everywhere, there were boards, with 'Champions 2025 Asia Cup' written on it. You play for that." DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 8. INDIA'S KULDEEP YADAV CELEBRATES TAKING THE WICKET OF PAKISTAN'S FAHEEM ASHRAF 9. INDIA PLAYERS CELEBRATE WINNING THE ASIA CUP DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ANI – No use India)  10. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PAKISTAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, SALMAN AGHA, SAYING: "What has happened in this tournament is very disappointing. In terms of cricket…they (Indian cricket team) think that by not shaking hands, they are disrespecting us. No (by doing that) they're disrespecting cricket. And if you disrespect cricket that will be reflected in the times to come (in your game)." DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 11. PAKISTAN PLAYERS LINE UP DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM BEFORE THE MATCH 12. PAKISTAN'S SALMAN AGHA REACTS AFTER LOSING HIS WICKET DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ANI – No use India)  13. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PAKISTAN CRICKET CAPTAIN, SALMAN AGHA, SAYING: "What they (Indian cricket team) did today as well, according to me, a good team doesn't behave like this, because a good team will behave like we did. We went to pose with the trophy on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. Whatever they're doing with the game that's just beyond…I don't want to use very harsh words but to be very honest, this is very disrespectful to the game, not to anyone." DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS – Access all) (MUTE) 14. INDIA FANS INSIDE THE STADIUM BEFORE THE MATCH STORY: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said his side had been denied the chance to hoist the Asia Cup trophy on Sunday (September 28) after it was removed from the presentation ceremony following their refusal to accept it from Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi. India beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium with emotions running high between the sides following a brief military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. The teams met three times at the tournament, with Indian players refusing to shake hands with their opponents throughout, and Sunday's final ended in bizarre circumstances with India celebrating their win by hoisting an imaginary trophy. "I think this is one thing which I've never seen since I started playing cricket and started following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy, and that too a hard-earned one," Suryakumar told reporters. "I feel we deserved it. I can't say anything more, I've summed it up really well. "My trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys with me, the support staff, those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup." Indian batsman Tilak Varma anchored his team's chase with an unbeaten 69 in reply to Pakistan's 146 all out but the action on the field was overshadowed by the drama off it. The start of the presentation ceremony was delayed by more than an hour and then cut short just before the winner's trophy was to be handed out with Naqvi among those left waiting on the dais. Indian cricket board (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed their players had refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council President Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Local media reported that organisers left the ceremony with the trophy. Reuters has contacted the Asian Cricket Council for comment. Suryakumar, who was later pictured picking up an imaginary trophy to celebrate with his team mates on the dais, said all that mattered was that India were champions once again. "The win is important. If you saw after the match, 'India' was written on the big screen. 'Asia Cup 2025 Champions' … what's better than this? You play for that," he said. "It was a great moment. Great journey. Great campaign for us as a team. We had a lot of fun." Pakistan captain Salman Agha said India had disrespected cricket. "What India have done in this tournament is disappointing," Agha said. "They're not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they're disrespecting cricket. Good teams don't do what they did today. We went to pose with the trophy on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. "I don't want to use harsh words but they've been very disrespectful." (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ATP TOUR JAPAN OPEN SEMI-FINAL MATCHES RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (ATP/IMG MEDIA – see restrictions before use) CARLOS ALCARAZ (MAROON OUTFIT) BEAT CASPER RUUD 3-6 6-3 6-4 1. CASPER RUUD ARRIVING ON COURT 2. CARLOS ALCARAZ ARRIVING ON COURT FIRST SET 3. ALCARAZ WINS POINT WITH LOB 4. ALCARAZ REACTS 5. FANS APPLAUD 6. RUUD WINS POINT WITH LOB 7. RUUD REACTS 8. ALCARAZ HITS BACKHAND LONG, RUUD TAKES FIRST SET 9. RUUD WALKS ACROSS COURT SECOND SET 10.  ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER 11. ALCARAZ REACTS 12. FANS APPLAUD 13. ALCARAZ HITS ACE TO TAKE SECOND SET 14. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES THIRD SET 15. ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER 16. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 17. FANS APPLAUD 18. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 19. RUUD NETS BACKHAND, ALCARAZ BREAKS 20. ALCARAZ REACTS 21. ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER TO WIN MATCH 22. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES/PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET 23. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 24. ALCARAZ'S BOX 25. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES/WAVES TO FANS TAYLOR FRITZ (WHITE AND BLACK TSHIRT) BEAT JENSON BROOKSBY (WHITE TSHIRT) 6-3 6-3 FIRST SET 26. JENSON BROOKSBY HITS FOREHAND WINNER 27. BROOKSBY REACTS 28. BROOKSBY HITS FOREHAND WINNER 29. BROOKSBY REACTS 30. BROOKSBY PREPARES TO SERVE 31. BROOKSBY HITS BACKHAND LONG, TAYLOR FRITZ TAKES FIRST SET 32. FRITZ CELEBRATES 33. FRITX'S BOX CELEBRATE SECOND SET 34. FRITZ HITS BACKHAND WINNER 35. FRITZ REACTS 36. BROOKSBY HITS BACKHAND LONG, FRITZ BREAKS FOR 3-1 LEAD 37. FRITZ WALKING ON COURT 38. FRITZ HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 39. FRITZ CELEBRATES/PLAYERS MEET AT NET 40. PLAYERS SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 41. FRITZ CELEBRATES STORY: World number one Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to beat Casper Ruud 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Monday (September 29) and reach the Japan Open final, where he will meet second seed Taylor Fritz with the chance to claim his eighth title of the year. Alcaraz will also be seeking revenge in Tuesday's (September 30) clash in Tokyo after a shock defeat by Fritz in the Laver Cup in San Francisco this month, his first loss to the American in four career meetings. The six-times Grand Slam champion wasted four chances to break Ruud early and let out screams of frustration when his Norwegian opponent closed in on the first set with sublime shot-making from the back of the court and at the net. Having dropped the first set, Alcaraz came out all guns blazing in the next and levelled the scores with a huge ace, before turning on the style to break for a 3-2 lead in the decider and securing the win. American Fritz earlier saw off compatriot Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-3 with flawless serving in tough moments to reach his third final of the season after claiming grasscourt titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ATP TOUR JAPAN OPEN SEMI-FINAL MATCHES RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT AND SHOTLIST SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (ATP/IMG MEDIA – see restrictions before use) CARLOS ALCARAZ (MAROON OUTFIT) BEAT CASPER RUUD 3-6 6-3 6-4 1. CASPER RUUD ARRIVING ON COURT 2. CARLOS ALCARAZ ARRIVING ON COURT FIRST SET 3. ALCARAZ WINS POINT WITH LOB 4. ALCARAZ REACTS 5. FANS APPLAUD 6. RUUD WINS POINT WITH LOB 7. RUUD REACTS 8. ALCARAZ HITS BACKHAND LONG, RUUD TAKES FIRST SET 9. RUUD WALKS ACROSS COURT SECOND SET 10.  ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER 11. ALCARAZ REACTS 12. FANS APPLAUD 13. ALCARAZ HITS ACE TO TAKE SECOND SET 14. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES THIRD SET 15. ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER 16. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 17. FANS APPLAUD 18. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 19. RUUD NETS BACKHAND, ALCARAZ BREAKS 20. ALCARAZ REACTS 21. ALCARAZ HITS FOREHAND WINNER TO WIN MATCH 22. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES/PLAYERS MEET AT THE NET 23. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES 24. ALCARAZ'S BOX 25. ALCARAZ CELEBRATES/WAVES TO FANS TAYLOR FRITZ (WHITE AND BLACK TSHIRT) BEAT JENSON BROOKSBY (WHITE TSHIRT) 6-3 6-3 FIRST SET 26. JENSON BROOKSBY HITS FOREHAND WINNER 27. BROOKSBY REACTS 28. BROOKSBY HITS FOREHAND WINNER 29. BROOKSBY REACTS 30. BROOKSBY PREPARES TO SERVE 31. BROOKSBY HITS BACKHAND LONG, TAYLOR FRITZ TAKES FIRST SET 32. FRITZ CELEBRATES 33. FRITX'S BOX CELEBRATE SECOND SET 34. FRITZ HITS BACKHAND WINNER 35. FRITZ REACTS 36. BROOKSBY HITS BACKHAND LONG, FRITZ BREAKS FOR 3-1 LEAD 37. FRITZ WALKING ON COURT 38. FRITZ HITS ACE TO WIN MATCH 39. FRITZ CELEBRATES/PLAYERS MEET AT NET 40. PLAYERS SHAKE HANDS WITH UMPIRE 41. FRITZ CELEBRATESE STORY: World number one Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to beat Casper Ruud 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Monday (September 29) and reach the Japan Open final, where he will meet second seed Taylor Fritz with the chance to claim his eighth title of the year. Alcaraz will also be seeking revenge in Tuesday's (September 30) clash in Tokyo after a shock defeat by Fritz in the Laver Cup in San Francisco this month, his first loss to the American in four career meetings. The six-times Grand Slam champion wasted four chances to break Ruud early and let out screams of frustration when his Norwegian opponent closed in on the first set with sublime shot-making from the back of the court and at the net. Having dropped the first set, Alcaraz came out all guns blazing in the next and levelled the scores with a huge ace, before turning on the style to break for a 3-2 lead in the decider and securing the win. American Fritz earlier saw off compatriot Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-3 with flawless serving in tough moments to reach his third final of the season after claiming grasscourt titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ATP TOUR JAPAN OPEN SEMI-FINAL MATCHES SHOWS: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (ATP/IMG MEDIA – see restrictions before use) TO FOLLOW STORY: World number one Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a slow start to beat Casper Ruud 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Monday (September 29) and reach the Japan Open final, where he will meet second seed Taylor Fritz with the chance to claim his eighth title of the year. Alcaraz will also be seeking revenge in Tuesday's (September 30) clash in Tokyo after a shock defeat by Fritz in the Laver Cup in San Francisco this month, his first loss to the American in four career meetings. The six-times Grand Slam champion wasted four chances to break Ruud early and let out screams of frustration when his Norwegian opponent closed in on the first set with sublime shot-making from the back of the court and at the net. Having dropped the first set, Alcaraz came out all guns blazing in the next and levelled the scores with a huge ace, before turning on the style to break for a 3-2 lead in the decider and securing the win. American Fritz earlier saw off compatriot Jenson Brooksby 6-3 6-3 with flawless serving in tough moments to reach his third final of the season after claiming grasscourt titles in Stuttgart and Eastbourne. (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: BAYERN MUNICH TRAINING AHEAD OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH AGAINST CYPRIOT CHAMPIONS PAFOS FC RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT SHOWS: MUNICH, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all) 1. BAYERN MUNICH PLAYERS ON TRAINING GROUND 2. MIDFIELDER JOSHUA KIMMICH  3. BAYERN MUNICH PLAYERS ON TRAINING GROUND 4. MIDFIELDER LEON GORETZKA 4. VARIOUS OF STRIKER HARRY KANE AND OTHERS MESSING AROUND 5. KANE, KIMMICH, MICHAEL OLISE AND OTHERS JOGGING 6. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS JOGGING AND WARMING UP 8. FORWARDS NICOLAS JACKSON, LUIS DIAZ AND OTHERS DOING AGILITY EXERCISE 9. DEFENDERS JONATHAN TAH, KIM MIN-JAE AND FORWARD SERGE GNABRY WARMING UP  10. JACKSON WARMING UP.  11. TAH, MIN-JAE AND GNABRY WARMING UP  12. PLAYERS WARMING UP 13. KANE DURING TRAINING 14. TEAM TRAINING 15. KANE AND KIMMICH DURING TRAINING 16. TEAM TRAINING 17. GOALKEEPERS MANUEL NEUER, LEON KLANAC, JONAS URBIG AND SVEN ULREICH 18. NEUER AND ULREICH WARMING UP 19. NEUER 20. HEAD COACH VINCENT KOMPANY OBSERVING TRAINING, MIDFIELDER KONRAD LAIMER AND MIN-JAE SHAKING HANDS 21. PLAYERS DOING RONDO DRILL 22. KANE DURING RONDO 23. PLAYERS DOING RONDO DRILL 24. PLAYERS ON TRAINING GROUND 25. DIAZ 26. VARIOUS OF PLAYERS DOING RONDO DRILL 27. DIAZ DURING RONDO 28. PLAYERS DOING RONDO DRILL 29. JACKSON DOING PUSHUPS 30. PLAYERS TRAINING 31. DIAZ DURING RONDO 32. KOMPANY OBSERVING TRAINING 33. PLAYERS TRAINING 34. VARIOUS OF FACADE OF BAYERN MUNICH TRAINING GROUND STORY: Bayern Munich travel to Cyprus to face Pafos on Tuesday night (September 30) for their second Champions League league phase match.  The Bavarians come into the fixture in confident mood, having opened their campaign with a convincing 3-1 victory over Chelsea.  Pafos, the Cypriot champions, will be hoping to build on their solid start after earning a point in a goalless draw against Olympiakos in their opening match.  Bayern's attacking prowess and experience in European competition make them a huge favourite, but Pafos's defensive resilience, as shown against Olympiakos, will give them some hope.  (Production: Christine Uyanik, Ayhan Uyanik, Johannes Toft Thyssen)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: LIVERPOOL TRAINING SESSION FULL SCRIPT TO FOLLOW SHOWS: LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, UK (SEPTEMBER 29, 2025) (NICHE MEDIA – Access all) 1. FLORIAN WIRTZ WALKS OUT FOR TRAINING SESSION 2. FORWARDS ALEXANDER ISAK AND HUGO EKITIKE WALKING OUT 3. ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER TYING LACES 4. MANAGER ARNE SLOT TALKING TO EKITIKE  5. MOHAMED SALAH TALKING TO DOMINICK SZOBOSZLAI 6. VIRGIL VAN DIJK. CODY GAKPO AND CURTIS JONES THROWING MEDICINE BALLS 7. SALAH THROWING MEDICINE BALL 8. GAKPO THROWING BALL 9. VAN DIJK, JOE GOMEZ AND IBRAHIMA KONATE TRAINING WITH HURDLES 10. EKITIKE, WIRTZ, FEDERICO CHIESA AND ISAK TRAINING 11. TRAINING SESSION 12. VAN DIJK, EKITIKE AND SALAH TRAINING STORY: TO FOLLOW

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)

VIDEO SHOWS: POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE COMMENTS FROM INDIA CAPTAIN SURYAKUMAR YADAV AFTER VICTORY OVER PAKISTAN IN ASIA CUP FINAL/STILL IMAGES FROM MATCH SHOWS: DUBAI, UAE (SEPTEMBER 28, 2025) (ANI – No use India) TO FOLLOW STORY: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said his side had been denied the chance to hoist the Asia Cup trophy on Sunday (September 28) after it was removed from the presentation ceremony following their refusal to accept it from Pakistan's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi. India beat Pakistan by five wickets in the final at Dubai International Stadium with emotions running high between the sides following a brief military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. The teams met three times at the tournament, with Indian players refusing to shake hands with their opponents throughout, and Sunday's final ended in bizarre circumstances with India celebrating their win by hoisting an imaginary trophy. "I think this is one thing which I've never seen since I started playing cricket and started following cricket, that a champion team is denied a trophy, and that too a hard-earned one," Suryakumar told reporters. "I feel we deserved it. I can't say anything more, I've summed it up really well. "My trophies are sitting in the dressing room, all the 14 guys with me, the support staff, those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup." Indian batsman Tilak Varma anchored his team's chase with an unbeaten 69 in reply to Pakistan's 146 all out but the action on the field was overshadowed by the drama off it. The start of the presentation ceremony was delayed by more than an hour and then cut short just before the winner's trophy was to be handed out with Naqvi among those left waiting on the dais. Indian cricket board (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed their players had refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council President Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Local media reported that organisers left the ceremony with the trophy. Reuters has contacted the Asian Cricket Council for comment. Suryakumar, who was later pictured picking up an imaginary trophy to celebrate with his team mates on the dais, said all that mattered was that India were champions once again. "The win is important. If you saw after the match, 'India' was written on the big screen. 'Asia Cup 2025 Champions' … what's better than this? You play for that," he said. "It was a great moment. Great journey. Great campaign for us as a team. We had a lot of fun." Pakistan captain Salman Agha said India had disrespected cricket. "What India have done in this tournament is disappointing," Agha said. "They're not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they're disrespecting cricket. Good teams don't do what they did today. We went to pose with the trophy on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. "I don't want to use harsh words but they've been very disrespectful." (Production: Aadi Nair)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)