Archive · 14 Sep 2026
India Women Win Asia Cup Amid Trophy Presentation Row
India’s women’s cricket team won the Asia Cup for the eighth time.
They beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai.
India made 183 runs, while Sri Lanka made 111.
Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma scored half-centuries for India.
After the match, the team did not receive the trophy, cheque or medals from Mohsin Naqvi.
Naqvi is the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council and a Pakistani government minister.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said this was a planned decision showing support for a similar action by India’s men’s team.
He said India would still play Pakistan in multinational tournaments because that follows government policy.
The team’s next focus is competing for gold at the Asian Games in Japan.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai to win a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
India scored 183/5, with half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, while Sri Lanka made 111.
The Indian team did not accept the trophy, cheque or winner’s medals from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia called the move a conscious, institutional decision made amid strained India-Pakistan relations.
Saikia said India would continue fulfilling multinational sporting commitments, with the team next focused on the Asian Games in Japan.
- Who
- India’s women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, and Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi.
- What
- India won the Women’s Asia Cup but declined to receive the trophy, cheque and medals from Mohsin Naqvi.
- When
- India won the final on Sunday; Saikia discussed the decision on Sunday and Monday in the reports.
- Where
- The final and trophy presentation took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
- Why
- Saikia said the BCCI decision reflected prevailing national sentiments and strained India-Pakistan relations after the April 2025 Pahalgam incident, while distinguishing tournament participation from the trophy presentation.
BCCI’s Institutional Position
Arguments for Conventional Sporting Protocol
Playing Pakistan versus accepting the trophy
BCCI’s Institutional Position
Saikia said India must fulfill government-approved sporting commitments and participate in multinational tournaments, but participation and the manner of receiving a trophy are separate matters.
Arguments for Conventional Sporting Protocol
The controversy has fueled debate over whether India should boycott all games against Pakistan rather than continue playing in multinational tournaments.
Meaning of the trophy refusal
BCCI’s Institutional Position
The BCCI said the decision reflected national sentiments and solidarity with the men’s team’s earlier action, and was not directed at the players, tournament or sport.
Arguments for Conventional Sporting Protocol
The refusal departed from the customary presentation ceremony and overshadowed the team’s on-field achievement, despite India’s victory.
- Final result
- India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs.
- India’s score
- 183/5 in 20 overs.
- Sri Lanka’s score
- 111 runs.
- Championship record
- India won the Women’s Asia Cup for the eighth time.
- Presentation decision
- India did not accept the trophy, cheque or winner’s medals from Mohsin Naqvi.
- BCCI explanation
- Devajit Saikia described the decision as conscious, institutional and communicated to the ACC in advance.
- Next competition
- India is scheduled to travel to Japan for the Asian Games, with matches reported for September 18, 20 and 22.
Sources
BCCI says ‘no regrets’ on Women's Asia Cup trophy controversy: ‘Ambition was not to focus on who would give the trophy’
Conscious, institutional decision in prevailing circumstances: Saikia on Asia Cup trophy row
Women's team followed men's lead in declining Asia Cup trophy, says BCCI Secy Saikia