On Sunday, September 28, India clinched their ninth Asia Cup title in a final over thriller against Pakistan in Dubai.
Despite an early collapse, Tilak Varma's 69*(53) alongside crucial cameos from Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33) helped India reach their target of 147 runs with 2 balls left in the match.
However, the excitement among the fans to see their team lift the trophy was short-lived after Suryakumar Yadav was not presented with the title after they refused to receive it from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chair, Mohsin Naqvi.
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Among the major critics of ACC's move was former India player Mohammed Kaif, who called out Naqvi and ACC for the decision.
Mohammed Kaif expresses displeasure as India denied a chance to lift the Asia Cup trophy
While reviewing the match on his YouTube channel on Monday, Kaif felt the players were denied an opportunity to create some memories of a lifetime by the ACC, as he spoke of the organization's incompetence.
As the Indian team celebrated the win without the trophy, it added fuel to the fire after a controversial set of three fixtures between the teams, where India asserted dominance with 3-0, extending their win-streak against the Men in Green to 8 consecutive wins.
"I feel sad because the Indian team deserved the trophy. I have said it before, this is a memory of a lifetime — Tilak Varma played an incredible not out knock to win his team the match, so he had the right to click a picture with the trophy for his effort," said Kaif.
"Suryakumar Yadav should have gotten the trophy for how he led the team in the tournament, It was sad. If India did not want to receive the trophy from him [Mohsin Naqvi], then he would have known about it beforehand. He should have made the arrangements and skipped the ceremony," he added.
He further criticized the last-minute rushed decision-making from Naqvi and co. after the game that delayed the post-match proceedings on the night.
Up next, India will be back in Test action as they host West Indies for two Test matches from October 2.
On the other hand, Pakistan will host South Africa in two Tests, three T20Is and 3 ODIs from October 12.
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