DUBAI: India’s women’s team refused to collect the Asia Cup silverware from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi after beating Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday, triggering a fresh controversy.
The ceremony had been fully arranged, and the award was ready for the victorious side, but the Indian players did not leave their dressing room to receive it from Naqvi.
Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu, meanwhile, accepted the runners-up prize-money cheque from the ACC president.
The episode marks the latest controversy involving an Indian team and Naqvi at the Asia Cup, reviving tensions over the intersection of cricket and politics.
“Cricket once again has been overshadowed by politics,” sources said, while describing the Indian team’s decision as contrary to the spirit of sportsmanship.
It was the second such incident involving an Indian team within a year.
“The trophy is available to the winning Indian team,” the ACC sources said, adding that the previous trophy won by India was also available and was only awaiting collection.
“Our position has not changed,” the sources said.
The sources further said Naqvi had not moved “an inch” from his previous position and continued to maintain the same stance.
The Indian women’s team defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to win the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026.
The development mirrors a similar episode during last year's men's Asia Cup, when India refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi after defeating Pakistan in the final.
The ACC chairman remained firm in his decision to present the trophy himself, resulting in a delay of around 90 minutes to the post-match presentation ceremony.
With neither side willing to compromise, the ceremony concluded without the trophy being presented to the winners. As a result, the organisers took the silverware away and returned it to the ACC office.
According to insiders, the unprecedented move was carried out on the directives of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), in what many observers described as another instance of arrogance and the politicisation of cricket by the Indian side.
The 2025 controversy unfolded amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India following their military conflict in May, with the political strain spilling over into the cricket tournament.
