India women follow men’s team’s lead, refuse Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi
India’s unprecedented eighth Women’s Asia Cup title triumph ended in familiar scenes on Sunday night, as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side refused to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi during the post-match presentation in Dubai.
The presentation ceremony was delayed by nearly 50 minutes after India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final. Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan’s interior minister, was present at the ceremony.
Sri Lanka’s players and coaching staff were presented with their runners-up medals before captain Chamari Athapaththu received the runners-up cheque from Naqvi. The ceremony was then abruptly brought to an end, with India’s players neither receiving their tournament medals nor collecting the Asia Cup trophy.
The episode closely mirrored last year’s men’s Asia Cup final at the same venue, when India also declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi.
That stand has been taken by the BCCI and we stand by it. For us, this tournament is over. We are the champions, and that’s good enough. It was on the big board that India are the champions of the Asia Cup 2026. This tournament is officially over for us. We are happy that we are the champions and we look forward to the Asian Games.
India’s women’s team instead held its own brief medal presentation while waiting for the official ceremony. Fielding coach Munish Bali presented the best-fielder medal, while BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia handed the award to Nandani Sharma. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was also present.
The decision came against the backdrop of strained cricketing relations between India and Pakistan following heightened cross-border tensions in May 2025. Since then, Indian teams have avoided handshakes with Pakistan players and officials.
India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar said the team fully supported the BCCI’s position.
“That stand has been taken by the BCCI and we stand by it. For us, this tournament is over. We are the champions, and that’s good enough. It was on the big board that India are the champions of the Asia Cup 2026,” Muzumdar said.
“This tournament is officially over for us. We are happy that we are the champions and we look forward to the Asian Games.”
Asked when India would receive the trophy or whether the situation could change, Muzumdar said there had been no update.
“No news as yet. So, I cannot answer that,” he said.
Muzumdar was also asked whether the developments surrounding India-Pakistan cricket and trophy presentations could affect the spirit of sportsmanship.
“The stand has been taken by the BCCI and we are united and standing by it. Absolutely,” he said.
“For us, this tournament is officially over. 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.”
The controversy came after India had produced a dominant performance in the final, posting 184 before restricting Sri Lanka to secure a 72-run victory.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised her side for maintaining the standards they had set throughout the tournament, particularly on Dubai’s slow pitches.
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