New Delhi: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has clarified that India’s decision to not accept the Asia Cup trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi was deliberate. The unprecedented incident occurred on Sunday night in Dubai after India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling last-over finish to claim a record-extending ninth Asia Cup title.
Saikia explained that the team would only receive the trophy if it was presented by a neutral ACC or match official. “We had already communicated that we would not accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, because he is not just the ACC chairman but also a senior leader from Pakistan. For us, it is not possible to take an award from someone who represents a country that is openly hostile and waging war against India,” he said.
He also criticised Naqvi for breaching ACC protocol by walking away with the trophy and players’ medals after the presentation. “That is completely against the sporting spirit and ACC protocol. We hope good sense will prevail, and that the trophy and medals will be handed over to us in due course,” Saikia added.
The BCCI plans to lodge a strong protest with the ACC and raise the matter at the upcoming ICC conference in November. “Such behaviour cannot be allowed to set a precedent. Cricket is about fair play, and this was anything but fair play,” Saikia said.
Recalling India’s military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack, Saikia likened the team’s victory to a battlefield triumph. “You may recall that our armed forces delivered Operation Sindoor on the border. In the same way, our boys have delivered on the field against Pakistan it was like Operation Killa in Dubai. The message is the same: India wins, whether on the battlefield or the sports field,” he remarked.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav also expressed his frustration, stating, “I think this is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing and following cricket that a champion team is denied a trophy, especially one that was hard-earned.”
