In Dubai on Sunday (28 September), India defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in the Asia Cup final, winning the tournament for the ninth time. After the victory, Prime Minister Modi wrote on social media: “Operation Sindoor continues on the field.”
PCB chief walked away with the trophy
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi came to present the award to the winning team, but the Indian team refused to accept the award from him. Awards ceremony presenter Simon Doull announced that the Indian team would not accept the awards.
Meanwhile, there was a proposal that Khalid Al Jarooni of Dubai Sports City hand over the trophy instead, but Naqvi refused to step aside. After this, the program was called off, and Naqvi left the stage. He also took the trophy and medals with him.
Naqvi is Pakistan’s Home Minister as well as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). India took this stand in protest against the Pahalgam terror attack of April 22. During the entire tournament, Team India had also avoided shaking hands with Pakistani players.
India celebrated the victory Withouth Trophy
When the trophy was not presented, captain Suryakumar Yadav gestured on the field as if holding a trophy. The players accepted that gesture as the real victory and celebrated accordingly. The team celebrated their triumph on the field without the trophy.
According to PTI, when Naqvi came on stage, the spectators began chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” The Indian team did not go to the stage to receive the award. There was confusion for about an hour. Indian players sat on the ground, while the Pakistani team stood isolated. Naqvi shamelessly remained on stage for nearly an hour before leaving with the trophy.
Captain Surya said – I saw this for the first time
At the post-match press conference, when asked about the trophy, Surya said: “This is the first time in my cricketing career that I’ve seen a winning team not being given the trophy. We worked very hard to win this tournament. Anyway, being in the dressing room with the players and staff is my real trophy.”
After the match, Pakistani captain Salman Ali Agha said: “By not shaking hands, the Indian team disrespected cricket. Their behaviour was wrong.”
BCCI Secretary said – We will complain to ICC
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said: “We had decided that the players would not take the trophy from PCB officials. But that doesn’t mean Naqvi could walk away with the trophy to Pakistan. At the ICC meeting in November, we will lodge a strong protest over this issue. We expect the trophy to be handed over to us soon.”
