Dubai, Sept 15:
The BCCI on Monday clarified that the Indian women’s cricket team’s decision not to receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi after winning the title was a collective decision taken by the Board.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the Board had informed the ACC in advance that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation ceremony if Naqvi was involved. India went on to beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai to clinch the title.
Shukla said there was no confrontation over the decision. According to him, Naqvi accepted the arrangement and presented the trophy to the designated recipient before leaving. The BCCI’s clarification came amid criticism over the unusual trophy presentation, which followed a similar stance taken by the Indian men’s team during last year’s Asia Cup.
The BCCI also sought to play down questions over secretary Devajit Saikia’s interaction with Naqvi during the final. Shukla described their exchange as a routine professional interaction and said there was no contradiction between maintaining the Board’s position on the presentation ceremony and carrying out normal cricket-related responsibilities during the match.
The episode reflects the continuing sensitivity surrounding official interactions between Indian cricket and Pakistani officials. The BCCI’s position was that the team could participate in the tournament and compete for the title while choosing not to take part in a trophy presentation involving Naqvi.
With the Asia Cup campaign successfully completed, India’s women’s team will now turn its attention to the Asian Games in Japan, where the side will look to build on its continental success.