By: The Trek News Desk
A fresh controversy has erupted in the aftermath of India’s dominant Asia Cup final win over Pakistan, as BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia levelled serious allegations against Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi.
According to Saikia, Naqvi walked away with the Asia Cup trophy and individual medals after Indian players refused to receive the silverware from him during the post-match presentation in Dubai.
Saikia expressed strong displeasure over the incident, calling it “unsportsmanlike and disrespectful,” and confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will lodge an official protest against Naqvi during the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in November.
“Yes, we had taken a conscious decision that our team would not receive the trophy from the ACC Chairman, who also holds a senior position in the Pakistan establishment.
But that certainly doesn’t justify him taking away the trophy and medals with him. It’s extremely unfortunate and unacceptable. We expect the silverware to be returned to India immediately,” Saikia said after India’s 5-wicket victory over Pakistan, their third win against the arch-rivals in this tournament.
PM Modi’s Congratulatory Message, ‘Operation Sindoor’, Resonates
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulatory post on X (formerly Twitter), which read:
“#OperationSindoor on the games field. Outcome is the same – India wins! Congrats to our cricketers,”
Saikia drew parallels between the victory on the cricket field and India’s strategic strength on the border.
“Just like our armed forces have delivered with precision at the borders, this was a similar response but on the cricket ground, in Dubai. This is not just a win; it’s a statement. If that was ‘Operation Sindoor,’ today was ‘Operation Killa,’ a symbolic and fitting answer to certain provocative acts by individuals from hostile territories. There couldn’t have been a better way to answer on such a grand stage,” he said.
India’s Long-standing Policy on Playing Pakistan
Addressing the broader geopolitical context, Saikia reiterated that the BCCI continues to operate in line with the Indian government’s stance regarding sporting ties with nations considered “hostile.”
“We’ve been following the Government of India’s policy for over a decade. India does not play bilateral series with Pakistan or any other unfriendly nation.
However, in multi-nation tournaments like the Asia Cup or World Cup, the Government allows participation because international federations impose strict mandates. Our policy is clear, we stick to what the government decides,” Saikia clarified.
₹21 Crore Bonus for Team India
In recognition of the team’s stellar performance and hard-fought win, the BCCI has announced a reward of ₹21 crore for the Indian squad. Saikia said the bonus reflects the Board’s appreciation for the team’s efforts in clinching the Asia Cup title and defeating Pakistan in the final.
“The players have delivered under pressure, and they’ve made the country proud. This bonus is a small token of our appreciation for their hard work and dominance throughout the tournament,” Saikia said.
Source: News Agencies
