Will all future interactions with India be on equal terms?
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Islamabad, Dec 29 (NationPress) The chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi, has emphasized that if India seeks the T20 Asia Cup 2005 trophy, they must collect it from him in Dubai.
"There is a status quo regarding the trophy transfer. If India desires the trophy, their captain must travel to Dubai to receive it personally from me," Naqvi stated in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
The trophy remains at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) office in Dubai following India captain Suryakumar Yadav's refusal to accept it during the presentation ceremony after their victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.
Naqvi asserted his right to present the trophy as the president of the ACC.
He also indicated that Pakistan would formally address the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the inappropriate conduct of Indian Under-19 players during the Junior Asia Cup. "We will be writing a letter to the ICC to report the behavior of Indian Junior players during the final of the Junior Asia Cup, which was unacceptable," Naqvi remarked.
Furthermore, Naqvi stated there would be no concessions made with India, emphasizing that if they do not wish to acknowledge our players, all future interactions would be on equal footing.
"If India does not permit their players to shake hands with ours, we will reciprocate in kind, and there will be no compromises," Naqvi stated in response to a question from Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net). "We have no interest in extending our hands to them."
The issue arose after Indian T20 captain Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistani captain Salman Agha at the toss, a behavior that was repeated after all three matches, overshadowing the Asia Cup in Dubai, where handshakes between competitors are customary.
This trend continued with Indian teams during the Women's World Cup in Sri Lanka in November, the Rising Star Asia Cup in Doha the same month, and the Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai this month.
The tension escalated following a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan in May, triggered by a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam in J&K. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of responsibility for the tragedy, a claim that Islamabad denies.
The mentor of the Pakistan team, Sarfaraz Ahmed, criticized the conduct of Indian Junior players, describing it as "Uneducated and unacceptable."
Last Sunday, Pakistan clinched the final with a notable victory margin of 191 runs.
In addition, Naqvi announced that the legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram would serve as the brand ambassador for the Pakistan Super League.
"We have appointed Wasim Akram as the brand ambassador for the PSL, and we will manage the Multan Sultans franchise independently next year until a new owner is found," Naqvi confirmed.
The owner of Multan, Ali Tareen, had a fallout with the PCB and exited the franchise.
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