Rajeev Shukla Defends India’s Asia Cup Trophy Decision

BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla on Monday said the Indian women’s team’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi was a “collective decision” taken by the Board. umafrika.club

India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday but did not accept the trophy from Naqvi, continuing a stance first adopted by the Indian men’s team during the 2025 Asia Cup.

Shukla said Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, did not object to the decision.

“We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it (trophy) from him. It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also did not raise any objection to it,” Shukla told reporters after arriving at the Indira Gandhi International Airport with the team.

“We informed our team accordingly, and he presented it to whoever he had to and then left,” he added.

BCCI Says Decision Was Communicated

Shukla’s comments were in line with the position earlier expressed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who said the decision had been taken after considering all prevailing circumstances.

“We had taken a conscious decision considering all prevailing aspects, and our position had been communicated to the ACC in advance, that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances,” Saikia had told PTI.

The decision came in the aftermath of the 2025 Asia Cup, when the Indian men’s team also chose not to accept the trophy from Naqvi.

The stance followed last year’s Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed.

Shukla Dismisses Criticism Of Saikia

Images of Saikia speaking with Naqvi during the Asia Cup final had surfaced, prompting questions over the BCCI’s position.

However, Shukla described the interaction as routine and said there was no reason for it to attract criticism.

“What Saikia ji said is absolutely correct. When you are at a match, everyone is present there and interacts in a professional capacity,” Shukla said.

“Therefore, I do not think there should be so much criticism over that,” he added.

India Turn Focus To Asian Games

Shukla also congratulated the Indian women’s team for winning the Asia Cup and expressed confidence in its prospects at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.

“We became Asia Cup champions. Our women have once again made us proud and we will continue to win in the future,” he said.

“The team is now heading to Japan and we are fully confident that we will secure a victory there as well,” Shukla added.

The Indian team will now shift its focus to the Asian Games after completing a successful Asia Cup campaign.

ENG vs SL 1st T20I Dream11 Prediction: Harry Brook-led England will square off against Charith Asalanka-led Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I to be played at The Rose Bowl, Southampton.

ENG vs SL 1st T20I Squad

England

Harry Brook (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Sonny Baker, Jos Buttler (wk), James Coles, Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Aneurin Donald, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue

Sri Lanka

Kusal Mendis (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando

England Unavailable Players

• Injury: NIL
• Others: NIL

Sri Lanka Unavailable Players

• Injury: NIL
• Others: NIL

ENG vs SL 1st T20I Probable Playing 11

England playing 11

Aneurin Donald, Jos Buttler(w), Harry Brook(c), Tom Banton, Jordan Cox, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker, Adil Rashid

Sri Lanka

Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamil Mishara (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga

ENG vs SL 1st T20I Pitch Report

The pitch at Rose Bowl offers good batting conditions. Despite seamers gets some assistance in lights, the surface is expected to provide a good contest between bat and ball, with batters likely to enjoy the pace and bounce in the conditions.

ENG vs SL 1st T20I Dream11 Prediction

• Batters: H Brook, C Asalanka, P Nissanka
• All-rounders: W Hasaranga, D Shanaka, J Overton, K Mendis, W Jacks
• Bowlers: A Rashid
• Wicketkeeper: J Buttler, J Cox
• Captain: J Buttler
• Vice-Captain: W Hasaranga

London [UK], September 15 (ANI): Nottinghamshire have secured the services of India seamer Mukesh Kumar for the final two fixtures of the 2026 County Championship season.

BlogEngland Stunned by Japan at Wembley in FriendlyA Stinging Setback for England When the final whistle blew at Wembley Stadium on March 31, 2026, the scoreboard read England 0 - 1 Japan. The lone goal came from Kaoru Mitoma, w...Open →

Kumar, who has 26 international caps across all formats, including three Test appearances, has taken 32 wickets for India.

Hailing from the state of Bihar, the same region as 2025 overseas signing Ishan Kishan, the right-armer has 233 career First-Class wickets to his name at an average of just 21.79, as per the Nottinghamshire website.

During his second Test, a January 2024 seven-wicket win over South Africa in Cape Town, Kumar notably claimed first-innings figures of 2/0 as the hosts were skittled for 55.

“I am really pleased to sign for Nottinghamshire at an important time in the season. I can’t wait to arrive in England and test myself in county cricket. I want to contribute as much as I can while I am here to help Nottinghamshire to success, and I am looking forward to working with the coaches and my new teammates," said Kumar.

Kumar represents Bengal in Indian domestic first-class cricket and has also featured for Delhi Capitals in each of the past four editions of the IPL.

The seamer has claimed 10 first-class five-wicket hauls, with his best match figures coming in an innings victory over his home state of Bihar in a February 2024 Ranji Trophy fixture, when he returned figures of 10/50.

His stint at Trent Bridge will mark the first time in his career that Kumar has represented a domestic side outside India.

“Coming to England is always a good challenge, and I am excited by the chance to play for a new team in new conditions," continued Kumar. I will give everything while I am part of Nottinghamshire, and I hope together, we can be successful."

Nottinghamshire Head Coach, Peter Moores, added: “We’re really excited to get Mukesh over at what is a crucial time of the season.

“He comes straight off the back of a really competitive game in the Duleep Trophy Final, in which he was on the winning team and played a pivotal role in securing the win for East Zone.

“Mukesh’s quality as a bowler is not in question, knowing how hard it is to compete to play in the Indian team. It’s fantastic for us to get a player who’s match-ready and in full competitive mode ahead of two big games for the club," Peter concluded. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Islamabad [Pakistan], September 15 (ANI): Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said on Monday that the team’s visit to India for the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy is subject to government clearance and the federation will follow whatever government asks them to do, Dawn reported. India have won most of their matches against the traditonal rivals in the past over two decades.

The dates for the Hero Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2026 were officially announced on Monday by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The prestigious continental tournament will be held from October 27 to November 5, bringing international hockey to the state of Punjab. Pakistan, alongside defending champions India, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Japan have been listed as participating teams in the six-team affair as per a Hockey India press release, with Oman and Bangladesh as reserve teams.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by Mohali and Jalandhar, with matches taking place at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali, and the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar, a Hockey India release said. Jalandhar will host the opening ceremony as well as all league-stage matches from October 27 to November 2. The tournament will then move to Mohali, which will stage the semi-finals on November 4 and the final on November 5, bringing the competition to a grand conclusion.

“The visit of the Pakistan team will depend on government clearance. We will do whatever the government asks us to do," Wani, who is also the federal secretary of Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, told Dawn.

The India, Pakistan hockey clash is scheduled for November 1. India have dominated Pakistan in hockey clashes between the two countries and have won a string of successive victories .

Men’s Asian Champions Trophy is one of the premier events on the Asian Hockey Federation calendar and provides a high-quality competitive platform for the continent’s leading teams. The 2026 edition is expected to attract significant attention from hockey fans across India and Asia, while showcasing Punjab’s rich hockey heritage and its contribution to the sport, it said.

With the tournament being hosted across two iconic hockey venues, the event will also provide an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of Punjab’s legendary players and strengthen the state’s position as one of India’s foremost hockey hubs.

After Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor launched by India in response, Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports reiterated that bilateral sporting ties between India and Pakistan will remain suspended, while allowing athletes to compete in multilateral international events, including those hosted in India. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Mohsin Naqvi Rejects BCCI Proposal: वूमेंस एशिया कप 2026 के खिताबी मुकाबले में एक बार फिर से ट्रॉफी का विवाद खड़ा हो गया। टीम इंडिया ने खिताब जीता, लेकिन मोहसिन नकवी से ट्रॉफी लेने से मना कर दिया। एक साल के भीतर यह दूसरा मौका है, जब टीम इंडिया ने खिताब जीता, लेकिन ट्रॉफी से नहीं मिली। फाइनल के दौरान एसीसी और पाकिस्तान क्रिकेट बोर्ड के प्रमुख मोहसिन नकवी, बीसीसीआई सचिव देवजीत सैकिया और उपाध्यक्ष राजीव शुक्ला के साथ मैच देखते हुए नजर आए थे। इसके बाद से लगा कि इस बार मामला सब ठीक हो जाएगा।