Asia Cup: Indian women’s cricket team refuses to accept trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi

It may be recalled that last year, the Indian men’s team refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy and medals from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman of Pakistan, Mohsin Naqvi (centre). File | Photo credit: AP

The Asia Cup stalemate continued for the second consecutive year after the victorious Indian women’s cricket team failed to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of Pakistan, on Sunday (September 13, 2026).

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to lift their record eighth Asia Cup title, but the players did not take to the field for the post-tournament presentation ceremony.

It may be recalled that the Indian men’s team last year refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy and medals from Mr. Naqvi, who heads the Pakistan Cricket Board and is also the home minister of the country.

The Indian team is yet to win the Asia Cup trophy, which has been kept at the ACC office ever since.

Instead, the Indian group led by Suryakumar Yadav staged an impromptu celebration on stage with no physical prize.

However, this time the members of the Indian women’s team did not even return to the ground after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia presented Nandini Sharma with the in-house medal for the best fielder.

However, the Sri Lankan team received a runner-up check from Naqvi before all the players and support staff received their medals from SLC interim boss Eran Wikramaratne.

Mr Naqvi left the stadium immediately after presenting the award to Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, but unlike last year he walked away without the trophy.

Published – 14 Sep 2026 01:11 IST