ISLAMABAD: India’s cricket team is under fire after refusing to collect the Asia Cup trophy following their win against Pakistan, a move widely criticized as disrespectful to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and an example of politics overshadowing sport.
According to Indian daily The Destination published on September 17, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had earlier signaled he would not accept the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“I have been informed by the Asian Cricket Council that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight,” Simon Doull, host broadcaster and presenter, announced during the closing ceremony. “So that does conclude the post-match presentation.”
‘That’s ridiculous’
Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri expressed frustration at the situation: “The players are being left to wait to lift the trophy or for that presentation ceremony to happen. That’s ridiculous… You hang around for 45 minutes after a game, still not knowing what’s happening. It’s ridiculous.”
‘Grace & poise’
Dr. Nauman Niaz, a sports journalist, criticized the boycott on social media platform X: “Trophies do not make you a champion, grace & poise does. They need to be suspended, their full membership rescinded based on their delusional narrative.”
“They go without a trophy, it’s a smack on their faces,” he added.
‘Champions of Pettiness’
Pakistan’s former federal minister Ali Zaidi accused New Delhi of interference: “India may have won the final, but it is the Modi govt that has disgraced the sport. Stopping the Indian team from receiving the trophy from the ACC President is pathetic politics.”
“The Modi govt too deserves a trophy: World Champions of Pettiness,” he quipped.
Politicizing cricket
“India has brought disgrace to cricket by politicizing it…,” journalist Wajahat Kazmi said. “The presentation ceremony ended without handing over the trophy to the Indian captain.”
Naqvi stayed on stage
Responding to claims that Naqvi was “forced to walk out,” journalist Faizan Lakhani clarified: “Mohsin Naqvi stayed on stage, he didn’t walk out. The ceremony ended without an official trophy presentation. Naqvi was there as ACC President, not as a Pakistani minister.”
Lakhani added that the Indian team’s refusal to accept the trophy showed “disregard for the entire Asian cricket community, of which India itself is a part.”
One X user summed up widespread frustration: “INDIA IS MAKING FUN OF THEMSELVES.”
