‘National pride turns into arrogance’ - Mohammad Yousuf defends Mohsin Naqvi amid Asia Cup trophy row

Former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf has come out in support of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi amid the controversy surrounding the Women's Asia Cup trophy presentation.

For the second consecutive year, an Indian team did not receive the trophy after winning the continental tournament. Harmanpreet Kaur-led India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women's Asia Cup final to clinch a record-extending eighth title. However, the Indian team chose not to attend the presentation ceremony to receive the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The development came a year after the Indian men's team also refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi. That decision followed tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. The men's tournament was also marked by several heated moments, with Naqvi facing criticism over some of his social media posts.

During the Women's Asia Cup final, Naqvi largely stayed away from the spotlight before being spotted in the VIP box during the final over. The presentation ceremony was subsequently delayed by around 45 to 50 minutes before eventually going ahead without the Indian team receiving the trophy.

Yousuf took to social media on Tuesday, September 15, to defend Naqvi while criticising India's decision. He accused the Indian side of displaying “arrogance” and claimed that national pride had overshadowed humility.

“When national pride turns into arrogance, victory brings no reward. A team may win, but a nation without humility remains a loser! No trophy, only heels on heads. #MohsinNaqvi,” Yousuf wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

What did the Indian camp say?

Following the controversy, India women's head coach Amol Muzumdar explained that the team followed the BCCI's decision regarding the trophy presentation. A day later, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the Indian camp had informed Naqvi well in advance that the players would not accept the trophy from him.

Saikia and BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla were both present at the Women's Asia Cup final. Despite the controversy surrounding the presentation, India produced a dominant performance on the field, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs to lift the title for the eighth time.

The presentation ceremony was delayed by nearly 45 to 50 minutes. When it eventually began, only the Sri Lankan players came out to collect their runners-up medals. Naqvi presented the runners-up cheque to Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu before the proceedings concluded after her broadcaster interview.