India secured its ninth Asia Cup title by defeating Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on October 1, 2023. The match showcased a stellar performance by Tilak Varma, who scored a crucial half-century. However, the victory was overshadowed by a dramatic trophy presentation snub, highlighting the ongoing political tensions between the two nations.
The ceremony was initially delayed for over one-and-a-half hours, with the Pakistan team, led by captain Salman Agha, arriving late. When it came time to present the trophy, the Indian team refused to accept it from Mohsin Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board. This refusal was consistent with their earlier decision to avoid handshakes with the Pakistan players during the tournament.
During a post-match media conference, India’s Twenty20 captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed his disappointment. “This is one thing which I have never seen since I started playing cricket,” Yadav said. “A champion team is denied a trophy, that too a hard-earned one.” He emphasized the significance of the victory and the efforts of his teammates, stating, “Mine are sitting in the dressing room, all 14 guys with me, the support staff – those are the real trophies throughout this journey in the Asia Cup.”
A statement on the ACC website had indicated that Naqvi would present the trophy to the winners. However, it was reported that the Indian team opted not to receive the trophy from him, reflecting their stance on avoiding any interaction with Pakistani officials throughout the tournament. Following this, Naqvi reportedly refused to withdraw from the ceremony, leading to further confusion. An ACC official even removed the Asia Cup trophy from the presentation podium before the event commenced.
The announcement that the Indian team would not collect their awards was made by former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull during the ceremony. Meanwhile, Indian players like Kuldeep Yadav received individual awards for their performances during the tournament but did not acknowledge Naqvi. The Pakistan team accepted their runners-up medals from Aminul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, with Naqvi presenting the check.
In light of the incident, Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), stated, “We have decided not to take the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the main leaders of Pakistan.” He further added that the BCCI plans to lodge a formal protest at an ICC conference scheduled for November in Dubai. Saikia emphasized the importance of returning the trophy and medals to India and described the situation as unfortunate.
The Asia Cup had marked a significant return of cricket ties between India and Pakistan, especially following heightened tensions along their border earlier in the year. This backdrop contributed to the Indian team’s refusal to engage in handshakes during the tournament, which even led to threats from the Pakistan team to withdraw over the “handshake controversy.”
Agha criticized the Indian team’s actions, stating, “Good teams don’t do what they did today.” He highlighted that the behavior demonstrated by the Indian players sends a troubling message to the youth in both nations. “If a kid is watching in India or Pakistan, we’re not sending them a good message,” he noted, underlining the responsibilities of athletes as role models.
Despite the competitive spirit on the field, the trophy presentation incident has cast a shadow over what is typically a celebratory occasion in cricket, underscoring the deep-rooted issues between the two countries that extend beyond the sport. As the cricketing world looks ahead, the implications of this episode may influence future encounters on and off the field.
