A month has passed since India won the Asia Cup T20 title by defeating Pakistan, but the surprising thing is that the winning trophy has not yet reached the Indian team. No trophy presentation, no finale. This victory seems incomplete. And now that BCCI has confirmed participation in the Rising Star Asia Cup, a new chapter of the story has started. The old rivalry is about to return, but questions remain on the working style of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
The Asia Cup actually failed to reach its most important ‘trophy moment’. It was a campaign which should have ended with a clear and deserved victory for India, but it got stuck in statements, counter statements and diplomatic complications.
Yet, without any hesitation, the BCCI has started preparations to send another team, to another tournament… that too with the presence of Pakistan. This time this decision does not seem to be just a cricketing sequence, but seems to be a sign of India’s restraint, control and self-confidence.
Read this also- India-Pakistan will face each other twice this November! There will be a clash in Doha, another clash is possible in the final
Recently, the Indian team under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav faced Pakistan thrice in the Asia Cup – in the group stage, super-four and final. The competition on the field was intense, but the political color and emotional warmth around cricket was more visible.
The most talked about moment was when ACC Chairman and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi refused to give the trophy to India. This step not only spoiled the atmosphere, but also raised questions on respect, transparency and intentions.
ICC had to intervene. Players of both the teams were fined, warned and given demerit points. But even these punishments did not solve the real issue. The trophy is still with ACC – neither returned, nor handed over.
Still, the story is moving forward and once again India and Pakistan are in the same group.
The ACC Rising Star Asia Cup has been projected as a development tournament for ‘A teams’, but looking at the draw it seems that it is a well-thought-out strategy to bring the two countries face to face again. The match is scheduled on 16th November in Doha and if everything goes as usual, then there can be a clash in the final also. Now the question arises – If India wins again, will the trophy really be given to India this time?
Report- Amar Sunil Panicker
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