Kapil Dev dodges Mohsin Naqvi’s bullet with funny one-liner after claiming Asia Cup trophy

Kapil Dev dodges Mohsin Naqvi NEW DELHI: The Indian women’s cricket team won the Asia Cup for a record eighth time on Sunday. But the post-match celebrations were overshadowed by the team’s decision not to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The decision echoed a similar incident involving the Indian men’s team at the 2025 Asia Cup, where the Suryakumar Yadav-led team also refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. The development once again sparked widespread debate.Former Indian captain Kapil Dev, when asked about the team’s decision not to receive the trophy from the PCB chief, came up with a succinct and witty reply. “Tell everyone to play golf,” he told ANI.Watch:India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai to lift their eighth Women’s Asia Cup.However, the Indian players did not attend the official presentation of the trophy with Naqvi. The episode came a year after the men’s team also refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from him.

BCCI explains the decision

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board had already informed the organizers of its stand ahead of the award ceremony. He said the decision was not a last-minute reaction to events on the ground.“Winning the trophy is one thing, but winning the tournament is what really matters. The trophy issue that created the controversy was not from our end. We have already clarified our stand and referred to the situation we faced last year regarding the Asian Games – a matter known to the entire nation,” Saikia told ANI.He added that the board had also made it clear that the team would not participate if the trophy presentation took place in the planned format.“Based on this context, we insisted on our position. We stated beforehand that we do not approve of the way they planned the award ceremony. We informed their chairman that if they follow this specific system, we will not participate. Since they did not agree, we decided not to accept the trophy in this way; we will collect it later,” he added.Saikia also clarified that the decision was not taken independently by the players and that there were no disagreements between the team and the BCCI.“It was completely BCCI’s decision. We have discussed everything internally and BCCI’s stand remains consistent with what was earlier. Whether it is about players, team or BCCI officials, we are all united; there is no difference between players’ decisions and BCCI’s decisions. We act as one. Whatever decision is taken, we follow BCCI’s laid down policies.”