BCCI defends India women team refusing Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi
India's women's cricket team secured their eighth Asia Cup title but refused to collect the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, backed by the BCCI amid ongoing political tensions.
India’s women’s cricket team captured a record-extending eighth title at the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday, September 13, yet walked away empty-handed after refusing to collect the championship silverware from Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, according to reports from ABP Live, Al Jazeera, and The Indian Express. The dramatic finale unfolded at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium following a dominant victory over Sri Lanka, echoing a nearly identical standoff from the men's tournament a year prior and deepening ongoing diplomatic friction across international cricket.
The summit clash saw India post 183 for five from twenty overs, powered by openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, before restricting Sri Lanka to 111 (Siasat). Yet, as detailed by Al Jazeera, the post-match ceremony was delayed by more than 45 minutes. When proceedings finally began, runners-up Sri Lanka collected their medals and cheques, but the victorious Indian players were entirely absent from the podium (The Indian Express).
Media additions
ABP Live reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had communicated its strict position to Asian Cricket Council organizers prior to the match. Board secretary Devajit Saikia explained that the women's squad chose to echo the boycott initiated by the men's team in September 2025 (Siasat). Saikia noted that India had proposed an alternative solution, asking that ACC Deputy Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni present the trophy instead, but asserted that Naqvi turned down the arrangement (ABP Live).
"We did not want to be part of the presentation in line with our previous stand from a year and a half ago," Saikia said, as reported by ABP Live. "We are yet to receive our men's Asia Cup. But we want to keep our position intact."
| Tournament | Winner | Runner-Up | Trophy Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Asia Cup (September 2025) | India | Pakistan | Withheld / Retained at ACC office after Indian boycott |
| Women's Asia Cup | India | Sri Lanka | Uncollected / Left unclaimed following boycott |
Political tensions between India and Pakistan have heavily impacted bilateral and multi-lateral fixtures. According to Al Jazeera, relations deteriorated severely following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, subsequent cross-border military strikes, and a brief US-brokered ceasefire. These hostilities spilled over into regional cricket, producing a series of matches marked by a lack of handshakes and hostile player interactions during multinational engagements (Al Jazeera).
India's coaching staff firmly backed the board's directive. Speaking at the post-match press conference reported by The Indian Express, head coach Amol Muzumdar stated that the team stood entirely behind the governing body's decision. "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," Muzumdar said.
The intersection of sport and state affairs remains acute. Saikia expressed optimism that the board will eventually receive both trophies through the appropriate official channels (ABP Live).
What to Watch Next
- Pending formal discussions regarding the handover of both the men's and women's trophies.
- Team selections and preparations as both nations turn their focus toward upcoming multi-sport fixtures, including the cricket tournaments at the Asian Games in Japan.
- Further official statements from Asian Cricket Council representatives regarding future protocol adjustments for presentation ceremonies.
