Asif Mahmood

The trophy presentation at the Asia Cup was not just a routine ceremony of handing over the trophy. It was a symbolic moment where respect for the institution of the Asian Cricket Council was expected. Yet the Indian team, in its familiar arrogance, refused to receive the trophy from the hands of the ACC president. This was more than a breach of ceremony; it was an act that carried political undertones and revealed the dismissive attitude India harbors toward regional institutions that do not bend to its will.

Sports are meant to foster unity, respect and fairness. When the Indian team publicly snubbed the ACC president, it was not merely the official who was insulted, it was the entire regional framework of Asian cricket that was undermined. Such behavior raises a serious question: if players and boards cannot respect the governing body of their own continent, how can they claim to represent the true spirit of the game?

The ACC and ICC must not treat this incident lightly. They have in their codes of conduct clear provisions against “bringing the game into disrepute” and against unsporting behavior. A financial fine on the team or its board would be an appropriate first step. But beyond that, a formal reprimand is essential to set a precedent that no team, however powerful its board, is above protocol. Allowing such incidents to pass without consequences will embolden India to further trample the rules whenever it suits them.

This act is not only an insult but also a potential  regulatory breach. The ICC Code of Conduct explicitly forbids acts that damage the image of the game, and captains are obliged to respect protocols. The ACC’s own tournament regulations bind teams to follow ceremonial obligations, including receiving trophies from designated officials. By violating this, India did not just insult an individual but breached the very rules under which it participated. Moreover, since trophy ceremonies are part of global broadcasts and sponsorship contracts, such behavior could even be framed as a breach of commercial obligations — another ground for financial sanction. In other sports such as football, teams have been fined for similar defiance of ceremony, proving that penalties are not only possible but standard practice.

This is not the first time India has shown disdain for cricket’s shared traditions. From refusing bilateral tours to imposing conditions on venues, the BCCI has often used its financial clout to dictate terms. The Asia Cup episode is simply the latest chapter in this pattern. By refusing to acknowledge the president of the ACC, India effectively belittled the very institution responsible for organizing the tournament. That is an insult to every Asian member nation, including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal.

If the ACC is serious about its credibility, it should issue a strong statement censuring India’s conduct and reaffirming the authority of its leadership. Silence would only prove that the body has surrendered to Indian dominance. The ICC, too, must remember that cricket is not just India’s playground; it is a global sport that belongs to all. Rules and respect cannot be selective.

For Pakistan and other member countries, this incident offers a moment of clarity. It shows that India sees itself not as one among equals, but as a hegemon that wishes to bend regional structures to its ego. The response of the ACC and ICC will determine whether cricket remains a sport of fairness and equal respect, or whether it becomes hostage to the arrogance of one board.

Discipline, fines, and formal reprimands are not about punishing a single act; they are about safeguarding the dignity of the sport. If India can walk away unscathed after insulting the ACC president in front of the world, then tomorrow any team can tear up the protocols of cricket with impunity. Asia’s cricketing community, and Pakistan foremost among them, should demand accountability. Without it, the spirit of the game will suffer, and the arrogance of one nation will continue to cast its shadow over a sport that is meant to unite rather than divide.