The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Devajit Saikia has reiterated that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had been well informed in advance that the Indian women’s team wouldn’t take part in the trophy presentation ceremony.
Further, Saikia revealed that the BCCI had decided not to collect the Asia Cup trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, ‘considering all prevailing aspects’. It’s worth noting that Naqvi is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
“We had taken a conscious decision considering all prevailing aspects, and our position had been communicated to the ACC in advance, that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances,” Saikia told The Indian Express in a statement.
Team India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup grand finale in Dubai on September 13, but the Indian players refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi.
“Our participation in the Asia Cup was in fulfilment of our sporting commitments as a member of the Asian Cricket Council by adhering to the policy in place, and there was never any question of compromising on the spirit of the game or our commitment to international cricket. However, participation in a multinational tournament and the manner in which the trophy is received are two separate matters,” Saikia said.
“Given the circumstances and the sentiments prevailing in the country, the BCCI felt that it would not be appropriate for the team to receive the trophy in the proposed manner. This was a firm institutional decision, reflective of the position we have maintained, and was not directed at the players, the tournament or the sport,” he added.
In the final, India Women batted first and posted a whopping total of 183/5 in 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana (59) and Shafali Verma (68) were the top scorers. In reply, Sri Lanka Women could score only 111 runs in 20 overs, losing the game by 72 runs.
“The Indian women’s team has done what matters most, they have won the Asia Cup through their outstanding performance on the field. We, as well as the whole nation, are immensely proud of the team, and the achievement belongs to the players and to Indian cricket. Now, our focus is on the Asian Games and we do not allow any distraction at this stage from the preparation for the same,” he concluded.
