DUBAI: In a disturbing exhibition of political gamesmanship on the cricket pitch, the Indian cricket team declined to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, despite victory in the competition.
The award ceremony, hosted at the Dubai Cricket Stadium, was postponed because of the Indian team’s refusal to accept the honor under the official protocol. Sources state that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had officially intimated the ACC that the Indian players would not be accepting the trophy from President Mohsin Naqvi.
Due to the standoff, the trophy was taken out of the field without being awarded to the winning team. No other arrangement was made for another official to present the trophy, since Naqvi insisted on presenting it himself.
ALSO READ:
The incident also fueled tensions from previous behavior of the Indian team in the tournament, where they:
Indian team to forfeit their chance to collect the trophy, as per the instructions of the Asian Cricket Council, it was announced by commentator Simon Doull at the ceremony.
Indian team’s actions have been severely criticized for breaching the essence of sportsmanship and letting political differences affect the “Gentleman’s Game.”
