Dubai: India’s women’s cricket team refused to collect the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council president and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi after defeating Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday, September 13.
The development marked a repeat of the controversy that followed the men’s Asia Cup final in 2025, when India also declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi.
India sealed a 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in Dubai, with Naqvi among the dignitaries present at the venue. He was seated alongside BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, secretary Devajit Saikia and other officials as the Indian team moved towards victory.
After the match, the Indian players gathered around head coach Amol Muzumdar, who addressed the squad. The team then conducted a separate medal ceremony, with Shukla and Saikia presenting the fielding medal to Nandani Sharma, as reported by India Today.
Saikia also joined the players on the field and congratulated them on their successful campaign.
Meanwhile, Naqvi was seen speaking to other dignitaries as preparations for the official presentation ceremony continued. He later presented the runners-up cheque to Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu.
The ceremony ended after Athapaththu spoke to presenter Farvez Maharoof. The broadcast then went off the presentation area, leaving viewers without a clear account of what happened next. Naqvi was later seen leaving the field with other ACC officials, but the trophy was not visible with him or his staff.
Muzumdar Explains India’s Stand
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Muzumdar confirmed that the decision had been taken by the BCCI. He said the team supported the board’s position and was satisfied with having won the tournament.
“That stand has been taken by BCCI and we stand by it. For us, this tournament is over. We are the champions. That’s good enough. It was on the big board that India champions of Asia Cup 2026. This tournament is officially over for us.”
“We are happy that we have turned out to be champions. Now, we look forward to the Asian Games. The fact that we are champions, we are really glad and I am really proud of every single person in this unit. Including the support staff and the players, needless to say,” said Muzumdar.
The coach added that he was unsure whether, or when, the team would receive the trophy.
BCCI Rejects Compromise
Saikia told India Today that the BCCI had already made its position clear before the presentation. However, the board proposed alternatives to avoid a disruption.
“The BCCI offered Naqvi that the Asia Cup trophy be handed over to the Indian team by ACC deputy chair Khalid Al Zarooni,” Saikia said. “Of course, he turned it down.”
Saikia said the BCCI also suggested that a representative of the tournament-winning board present the trophy, citing recent practice.
“As per the recent norm, the representative from the Board which wins the tournament may be allowed to hand over the trophy,” he said.
However, the proposal failed to resolve the dispute. “Naqvi remained adamant and the Indian team too refused to budge and refused to accept the trophy,” Saikia said.
Repeat Of 2025 Incident
The latest episode follows the men’s Asia Cup final in September 2025. After India defeated Pakistan, the team reportedly asked for the trophy to be presented by an Emirates Cricket Board official instead of Naqvi.
Naqvi rejected the request and insisted that the Indian captain collect the silverware from him. The presentation was eventually abandoned, and the trophy was removed while the Indian players waited. India left without receiving it, although Suryakumar Yadav’s side posed for photographs as if it were lifting the trophy.
