India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 triumph ended with an unusual presentation ceremony in Dubai. After beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final, the Indian team did not accept the India Women Asia Cup Trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi.
Naqvi is also Pakistan’s interior minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Why did India not accept the trophy?
The presentation ceremony was delayed after the final. Sri Lanka’s players received their runners-up medals and other awards, but the Indian team did not receive the winners’ trophy from Naqvi.
India coach Amol Muzumdar later said the team was following the BCCI’s stand. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia also said the board had informed the ACC about its position before the final.
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said the decision was collectively taken by the board. According to Shukla, Naqvi did not raise an objection.
India celebrate eighth Asia Cup title
The trophy controversy came after a dominant performance from India. Batting first, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side scored 183/5, powered by Shafali Verma’s 68 and Smriti Mandhana’s 59.
Sri Lanka were then bowled out for 111, with Shree Charani taking 4/20. India won by 72 runs to secure their record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
A similar situation occurred after the 2025 men’s Asia Cup, when the Indian men’s team also declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi.
The India Women Asia Cup Trophy episode therefore added another chapter to the political tensions surrounding India-Pakistan cricket, even as India celebrated another continental title.
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