Addressing the media after the win, Suryakumar said he had never witnessed such a situation in his cricketing journey. \u201cFor a champion team to be denied the trophy is something unheard of. We fought hard, playing two intense games in as many days, and I felt the boys deserved the recognition. I don\u2019t want to say much more, but it was disappointing,\u201d he remarked.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The skipper, however, praised his teammates and support staff, calling them the \u201creal trophies\u201d of the campaign. \u201cIf you ask me, I have 14 trophies already in my dressing room \u2014 those are my players and staff. The memories we created in this Asia Cup will stay with me forever,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also revealed that he would donate his match fee from the tournament to the Indian armed forces.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The drama reportedly stemmed from tensions between the Indian camp and the tournament organisers. Sources suggest that the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan\u2019s Interior Minister. The Indian team decided not to receive the trophy from Naqvi because Pakistan supported cross-border terrorism in India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI have decided to donate my match fees from this tournament to support our Armed Forces and the families of the victims who suffered from the Pahalgam terror attack. You always remain in my thoughts.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
What should have been a night of celebration instead ended in diplomatic drama, raising questions about cricket administration in the region.<\/p>\r\n\r\n