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India’s cricket team skip the Women’s Asia Cup trophy presentation in Dubai after beating Sri Lanka, refusing to receive it from Mohsin Naqvi.
India Refuse Women’s Asia Cup Trophy From Mohsin Naqvi After Asia Cup Final Win in Dubai, Skip Presentation Ceremony
The Indian cricket team created another dramatic moment at the Women’s Asia Cup after winning the 2026 Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in Dubai. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to claim a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title. However, the celebrations took an unexpected turn when the Indian players did not attend the trophy presentation involving Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi.
The decision immediately attracted attention because Naqvi is also chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s interior minister. The episode also revived memories of the controversy surrounding the men’s Asia Cup final in 2025.
India Win Eighth Women’s Asia Cup Title
On the field, India produced a commanding performance against Sri Lanka. After being asked to bat first, India posted 183/5, powered by an impressive opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma.
Mandhana scored 59, while Shafali smashed 68 from 46 balls. Her half-century came from only 24 deliveries, making it the fastest fifty in Women’s Asia Cup history. The pair added 129 runs for the opening wicket and put India firmly in control.
Sri Lanka struggled during the chase as India’s bowlers maintained pressure throughout the innings. Sree Charani claimed four wickets, while Deepti Sharma also played an important role as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111.
The 72-run victory gave India their eighth Women’s Asia Cup championship and further underlined their dominance in the continental tournament.
Why Did India Skip The Trophy Presentation?
The major talking point came after the final when India did not appear for the winners’ trophy presentation.
The ceremony was delayed by around 40 minutes after Sri Lanka’s final wicket. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu and her teammates received their runners-up medals and cheque, while Naqvi remained involved in the presentation.
The broadcast eventually ended without showing the Indian players receiving their winners’ medals or the Women’s Asia Cup trophy. Reports subsequently confirmed that India had decided not to accept the trophy from Naqvi.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the BCCI had informed ACC officials before the final that India would not accept the trophy from Naqvi if he attended the presentation. This indicates that the decision was not made spontaneously after the match but reflected a position communicated in advance.
Mohsin Naqvi’s Role In The Controversy
Mohsin Naqvi’s presence became central to the presentation because of his multiple roles. He is the president of the ACC, chairman of the PCB, and Pakistan’s interior minister.
The ACC presidency is relevant because the president is associated with the presentation of the tournament trophy. However, his position as a senior Pakistani political figure has made his involvement particularly sensitive for the Indian side.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia later explained that India’s decision was connected to its broader position concerning Pakistan and also to the unresolved issue surrounding the men’s Asia Cup trophy from 2025.
Link To Last Year’s Asia Cup Controversy
The latest incident closely mirrors what happened during the 2025 men’s Asia Cup final, also held in Dubai.
India defeated Pakistan in that final but did not accept the trophy from Naqvi. The presentation became delayed and eventually concluded without India receiving the championship trophy on the podium. The episode became one of the most controversial moments of that tournament.
The 2026 Women’s Asia Cup has therefore brought the issue back into the spotlight. This time, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team followed a similar position after defeating Sri Lanka.
BCCI Backs The Indian Team
India head coach Amol Muzumdar backed the decision after the final. He said the stand had been taken by the BCCI and that the team stood united behind it.
Read more: BRICS 2026: India, Pakistan And BRICS Membership – Why Pakistan Is Still Waiting
Muzumdar also stressed that India considered the tournament finished because they had already been officially declared champions. The Indian team celebrated its title despite not lifting the physical trophy during the ceremony.
What Happens To The Trophy Now?
The immediate question is what will happen to the Women’s Asia Cup trophy and the winners’ medals.
Muzumdar said there was no clarity yet about when India would receive the trophy. The BCCI has also continued to pursue the issue involving the men’s Asia Cup trophy from 2025.
For now, however, India remain the official Women’s Asia Cup 2026 champions.
The controversy surrounding the presentation should not overshadow what happened on the cricket field. India dominated Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final, produced a comprehensive 72-run victory and secured their eighth continental title. But their decision to skip the presentation involving Mohsin Naqvi has ensured that the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup will be remembered for both India’s outstanding cricket and a highly unusual trophy ceremony.
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