In the midst of the controversy over the Women’s Asia Cup trophy presentation, former Pakistani batter Mohammad Yousuf has publicly endorsed Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.
An Indian team that won the continental championship did not win the trophy for the second year in a row. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, won a record-extending seventh trophy in the Women’s Asia Cup final by defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs. However, Naqvi, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), did not invite the Indian team to the trophy presentation ceremony.
The change occurred a year after Naqvi’s Asia Cup trophy was rejected by the Indian men’s team. Tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror assault and Operation Sindoor led to that decision. A number of contentious incidents occurred throughout the men’s competition, and Naqvi was criticized for some of his social media statements.
Naqvi mostly avoided the spotlight at the Women’s Asia Cup final until she was seen in the VIP box during the last over. After a 45- to 50-minute delay, the presentation ceremony finally took place without the Indian team winning the trophy.
On Tuesday, September 15, Yousuf criticized India’s decision while defending Naqvi on social media.
He argued that national pride had eclipsed humility and accused the Indian side of exhibiting “arrogance.”
What was said by the Indian camp?
Amol Muzumdar, the head coach of the Indian women’s team, clarified after the controversy that the team adhered to the BCCI’s trophy presentation decision. The Indian camp had told Naqvi well in advance that the players would not take the trophy from him, according to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia a day later.
Both Saikia and Rajeev Shukla, the vise president of the BCCI, attended the Women’s Asia Cup final. India performed brilliantly on the field, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win the trophy for the eighth time, despite the controversy surrounding the presentation.
There was a 45- to 50-minute delay in the presenting ceremony. Only the Sri Lankan players showed up to claim their runners-up medals when it finally started. Prior to the conclusion of the proceedings following her broadcast interview, Naqvi gave Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu the runners-up check.
