BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has reacted to the controversy over the India-Pakistan encounter in the Asia Cup, calling for focus to be given to India's victory instead of the brouhaha that ensued.
The India-Pakistan match on Sunday recently set the talks abuzz following Team India's decision not to participate in the traditional post-match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. This move was noticed by both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Saikia reiterated that the focus should be India's dominating performance instead of the comments or response from third parties.
"I can only say that India won handsomely. It was a thumping victory for the Indian team. Nothing more. Nothing less. That's all. India won the match so comfortably. We should be enjoying that rather than focusing on all that noise created by some third party or hostile countries. We should not be bothered by it. Instead, we should appreciate and feel proud of our boys for doing so well. We hope the winning momentum will continue till the last match of this tournament," Saikia told IANS.
India registered a seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, their second win in the tournament and ensuring their qualification to the Super Four round.
The Indian team returned to their dressing room after the game while the Pakistani team waited for the usual handshake, which was refused by the Indian team.
Team India's captain Suryakumar Yadav explained this decision at the post-match press conference, saying, "Our government and BCCI; we were aligned today. Rest, we took a call. We came here to just play the game. We have given a proper reply."
India next take on Oman in their Group A Asia Cup match on September 19 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
