The secretary of the BCCI, ahead of Saikia, is unleashed to the chief of the ACC Mohin Naqvi

What one witnessed in the India-Pakistan Asia Cup final on Sunday, is truly unprecedented. The PAK team led by Salman Ali Agha delayed the presentation ceremony, and then Suryakumar Yadav’s Team India refused to take the trophy from ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. What followed was pure madness. The trophy was soon removed from the presentation area, and the winners could not pose with the silverware they thoroughly deserved.

Now, this has drawn a sharp response from the BCCI. The secretary, Devajit Saikia has criticised PCB for not allowing India to celebrate with the trophy. Speaking to ANI, he said, “We have decided not to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the ACC chairman, who happens to be one of the senior leaders of Pakistan. That was a conscious decision.”

Further, India had told the ACC, that they would be happy to get the trophy from ECB vice chairman Khalid Al Zarooni. But then, this request was turned down by Naqvi. Eventually, it was a stalemate. “This does not give him the right to take the trophy and the medals with him. It is extremely unfortunate and unsportsmanlike. We hope the trophy and medals will be returned to India as soon as possible,” Saikia added.

“There is an ICC conference scheduled in Dubai this November, and at that conference, we will launch a very serious and strong protest against the actions of the ACC chairman,” he added. Saikia further explained Team India’s reluctance to get the trophy from a person, who also serves as the interior minister of Pakistan.

“India is in conflict with that country, and we were expected to receive the trophy from a leader representing them. We cannot accept a trophy from someone who represents a nation currently at odds with ours. That was our stance. But that does not mean the gentleman is entitled to walk away with the trophy and medals meant for our team and take them to his hotel room.

“That is completely unacceptable. We hope he reconsiders, and we will be registering a strong protest against his behaviour during today’s prize distribution ceremony.” Meanwhile, earlier in the day, there were two presenters for toss, Waqar Younis for Pakistan, and Ravi Shastri for India.

Team India did not pose with the trophy before the final, along with PAK skipper Salman Ali Agha.