India refuse Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi after record eighth title
The Asia Cup trophy controversy resurfaced for a second consecutive year after the Indian women’s cricket team declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi following their emphatic 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday.
Harmanpreet Kaur’s side secured a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title but did not take part in the post-match trophy presentation. The development mirrors last year’s controversy involving the Indian men’s team, which also refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, who is the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
Unlike the previous year, Naqvi did not leave the venue carrying the trophy. He presented the award to Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu before leaving the stadium, while the Indian players stayed away from the presentation ceremony.
The Indian team had earlier been involved in the presentation when BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia awarded Nandini Sharma an in-house best fielder medal. However, the players did not return to the ground for the main ceremony.
Sri Lanka’s players and support staff accepted their medals from Sri Lanka Cricket interim chief Eran Wikramaratne, while the runners-up cheque was presented by Naqvi.
The latest episode comes less than a year after India’s men’s team won the 2025 Asia Cup but celebrated without the trophy after refusing to accept it from Naqvi. The trophy was subsequently kept at the ACC office in Dubai.
The BCCI had reportedly informed the ACC before Sunday’s final that the Indian team would not accept the trophy from Naqvi if it won the tournament.
India’s latest title was secured with a dominant 72-run win over Sri Lanka, with the victory extending the team’s record as the most successful side in the Women’s Asia Cup.
with inputs from PTI
