BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia launched a sharp attack on Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi after India’s Asia Cup triumph on Sunday, alleging that Naqvi walked away with the trophy to his hotel room after India defeated Pakistan in the final.
After India’s five-wicket win in Dubai, Saikia said the Indian team was denied the chance to celebrate properly, as they were not handed the winners’ medals or the trophy during the presentation ceremony. He described Naqvi’s conduct as “unsportsmanlike.”
The controversy erupted after the Indian players went up to the dais only to find that all the dignitaries had already departed. The squad celebrated without any medals or the trophy.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said at the post-match press conference that this was the first time in his career a winning team had been denied the trophy at a tournament.
Saikia also revealed that the BCCI had earlier decided not to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who doubles as the Asian Cricket Council chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
“We have decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the senior leaders of Pakistan. That was a conscious decision,” Saikia said.
India had conveyed to the ACC that they were willing to receive the trophy from Emirates Board vice chairman Khalid Al Zarooni, but the request was rejected by Naqvi, who insisted on presenting the medals himself.
With the two sides at a stalemate, Naqvi reportedly left the dais and instructed the ACC team to remove the medals and the trophy. Saikia criticised the move, mocking Naqvi for taking the silverware to his hotel room.
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“This does not give him the right to take the trophy and the medals with him. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. We hope the trophy and medals will be returned to India as soon as possible,” he said.
Saikia further stated that India would raise the matter at the upcoming ICC conference in Dubai this November. “At that conference, we will launch a very serious and strong protest against the actions of the ACC chairman,” he said, calling for “good sense to prevail.”
He added that India could not accept receiving the trophy from a Pakistani political leader at a time of strained relations between the two nations.
“But that does not mean the gentleman is entitled to walk away with the trophy and medals meant for our team and take them to his hotel room. That is completely unacceptable,” Saikia said.
The BCCI is now expected to file a formal complaint with the ICC, which has already intervened on disciplinary matters during this year’s Asia Cup, warning players from both sides about conduct deemed contrary to the spirit of the game.
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