DUBAI (Kashmir English): India has once again politicized cricket as the Indian women’s cricket team skipped the trophy presentation ceremony after winning the Women’s T20 Asia Cup final, refusing to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
The presentation ceremony was held in Dubai with Naqvi present on stage. However, the Indian team remained outside the dressing room and did not come onto the field, resulting in the ceremony concluding without the champions.
According to ACC sources, the trophy was ready to be presented to the Indian team, but the players chose not to accept it. The ACC subsequently retained the trophy.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, meanwhile, accepted the runners-up award from Naqvi during the ceremony.
ACC sources said the established protocol requires the winning team to receive the trophy from the ACC chairman. They added that the Indian team can collect the trophy if it chooses to do so.
The incident has once again raised questions about the intersection of politics and cricket, with the Indian team’s decision drawing criticism from some circles over sportsmanship and the traditions of the game.
ACC sources maintained that cricket should remain separate from political disputes and said the council’s position on maintaining the sport’s traditions remains unchanged.
