BCCI Had Already Told ACC That India Would Not Accept Trophy from Naqvi
Dubai: After Harmanpreet Kaur and her team defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final here late on Sunday night to win India their eighth Asia Cup title, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi. Following the presentation controversy, the BCCI organised a separate medal ceremony for the Indian champions on the field itself.
After India won the final, the main prize-distribution ceremony was delayed by nearly an hour. The Indian team was not going to accept the trophy from Naqvi. The BCCI had already informed the ACC and Naqvi before the tournament that if India won the title, the team would not receive the trophy from him.
After presenting medals and awards to the runners-up Sri Lanka, Naqvi left the Dubai Stadium.
Once Naqvi had left, India held its own brief medal ceremony on the field. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajeev Shukla were present at the ceremony. They congratulated the Indian players and praised their outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
Nandini Sharma Receives Medal for Best Fielding
Indian pace bowler Nandini Sharma was awarded a BCCI medal for being the best fielder throughout the tournament as well as during the practice sessions.
Naqvi Returns Home Without India’s Trophy This Time
Last year, after India won the Asia Cup under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy, the Indian team had refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. Unhappy with the snub, Naqvi had the trophy removed from the presentation area. India’s men’s team has still not received that trophy.
This time, however, Naqvi left the venue without taking part in the presentation of the trophy won by the Indian women’s team.
Saikia’s Conversation with Naqvi During Final
Visuals of BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia speaking to Naqvi in the Royal Box during Sunday’s final in Dubai went viral on social media. Saikia clarified that the discussion with officials during the final was part of the tournament-related protocol and should not be viewed as being contradictory to the BCCI’s approach to the post-final presentation ceremony.
Shafali Verma Wins Both Individual Awards
India scored 183 for five in the final, with Shafali Verma making 68 and Smriti Mandhana contributing 59. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 off the final ball of the 20th over.
Spinner Sree Charani claimed four wickets, while fellow spinner Deepti Sharma took three. Shafali not only delivered the best batting performance for India but also picked up a wicket.
Shafali was named both Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament. Deepti Sharma claimed the crucial wicket of Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, who scored 36, with wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh taking the catch.
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