India refuses to receive Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Minister Naqvi

Dramatic moments unfolded during the Asia Cup trophy ceremony as the Indian women’s cricket team refused to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, after defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai to win the women’s Asia Cup for the eighth time.

The ceremony was delayed for nearly 50 minutes, as Sri Lanka, who finished as runners-up, received their cheque from Naqvi, while their medals were presented by Sri Lankan Cricket Board interim chief Eran Wikramaratne; the Indian team, however, remained firm in its stance.

India, however, declined to accept the championship trophy from Naqvi, who is not only the head of the Asian Cricket Council but also Pakistan’s interior minister and chairman of the country’s cricket board.

Indian head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed after the match that the decision had been taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and he insisted that the team fully supported the stance.

“For us, this tournament is over; we are the champions,” Muzumdar told reporters, adding that the stadium display had already declared India the champions of Asia Cup 2026.

The BCCI had reportedly informed the Asian Cricket Council beforehand that the Indian team would not accept the trophy from Naqvi, suggesting that the decision was deliberate rather than spontaneous.

The episode echoed a similar controversy involving the Indian men’s team during the Asia Cup in September 2025, when they too declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor.