Mumbai: The BCCI will lodge a “very strong protest” at the upcoming ICC meeting in November against Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who controversially walked away with the Asia Cup trophy after the Indian team refused to accept it from him in Dubai.
### BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia Justifies Team’s Refusal
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia explained the team’s decision, stating that India could not accept the trophy from a person “waging a war against the country.” India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final on Sunday, with Tilak Varma hitting an unbeaten 69 and earning the Player of the Match award for the summit clash.
“So far as the trophy is concerned, trophy distribution, India cannot take the trophy from the person who is waging a war against our country,” Saikia said.
He added, “We have taken a decision not to accept the trophy but that does not allow the gentleman to take away the trophy and the medals to his hotel.”
Describing the incident as “unexpected” and “very childish in nature,” Saikia confirmed that the BCCI will file a strong protest with the ICC during the forthcoming meeting in Dubai in the first week of November.
### Background on Mohsin Naqvi
Mohsin Naqvi is not only the chief of the Asian Cricket Council but also serves as the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Interior Minister of Pakistan.
### Praising the Indian Team’s Performance
Saikia also praised the Indian team for their dominant run throughout the tournament.
“India won all the seven matches at the group stage. India won all the three matches. Thereafter in the group of four, they won the matches and finally also,” he said.
“Out of these seven matches, India won against Pakistan 3-0. So this is a big victory and a big-time cricket achievement for the country.”
### On India’s Participation Despite Political Tensions
Addressing the team’s decision to participate in the Asia Cup amid criticism of engagement with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Saikia confirmed that the Board aligned its decision with the policy set by the Indian government.
“…when it is a bilateral tournament, India is not going to play against Pakistan or any other hostile country and BCCI has been doing it for the last 12 to 15 years,” he said.
He further explained, “Now the Government has said that in multinational tournaments — Asia Cup is a multinational tournament — or an international tournament where a lot of other countries are also involved, in those tournaments, Indian team, whether it is cricket or football, we have to play.”
“Otherwise, our other games will suffer or the federation will be banned by international federations, so we followed the policy of the central government. We participated in spite of the fact that there are some protests or some resistance from some quarters,” Saikia added.
### Bringing Happiness to the Nation
Saikia expressed hope that beating Pakistan across all three games of the Asia Cup would bring joy to Indian fans.
“Today, with this handsome win over Pakistan and the thumping victory of 3-0, I am sure we will bring a lot of happiness to our people. The country is really proud of the performance of Indian cricket team,” he concluded.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/will-strongly-protest-with-icc-bcci-on-indian-team-being-denied-asia-cup-trophy-by-asian-cricket-council-chief-mohsin-naqvi
