India refuses Asia Cup trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, says coach Muzumdar

Following Team India’s refusal to accept the women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, Indian head coach Amol Muzumdar stated that this decision reflects the position taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and the team stands by it.

The incident occurred after India won the Asia Cup final in Dubai on September 14. Similar to the conclusion of the men’s Asia Cup last year, Team India did not appear to receive their winner medals and trophy from Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Interior Minister of Pakistan.

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While Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu received the runners-up cheque from Naqvi and gave a post-match interview, the broadcast cut away to the post-match studio show before the Indian team took part in the presentation ceremony.

As quoted by Cricinfo, Muzumdar said, “That stand has been taken by BCCI and we stand by it. (Not accepting trophy from Naqvi) For us, this tournament is over, we are the champions. That’s good enough. It was on the big board that India are the champions of 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.”

Prior to the presentation ceremony, Team India held a huddle with Muzumdar addressing the players. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajiv Shukla awarded the ‘Fielder of the Match’ medal to pacer Nandani Sharma for her two catches in the contest. Saikia congratulated the team on their victory.

When the official post-match proceedings began, Sri Lankan players received their runners-up medals from dignitaries including Naqvi. The Indian players were absent from the stage, and following Athapaththu’s interview, the broadcast shifted to the studio. Team India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who gave a post-match interview earlier, did not participate in the presentation ceremony.

The usual scene of India holding the trophy amid confetti and fireworks did not occur.

The controversy mirrors the situation at the men’s Asia Cup final last year in the UAE, when India defeated Pakistan but did not receive the trophy from Naqvi amid heightened tensions caused by cross-border terrorism, particularly following attacks in Pahalgam earlier that year. That ceremony was delayed by approximately 90 minutes, and the trophy was eventually removed from the presentation area by an official. Despite refusing the trophy, Team India celebrated on stage with skipper Suryakumar Yadav mimicking former captain Rohit Sharma’s slow walk from the 2024 T20 World Cup final and lifting an imaginary trophy.

During that tournament, Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistan counterparts during the toss or after matches. Victories were dedicated to Indian Armed Forces personnel involved in ‘Operation Sindoor’ against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. India won all three matches against Pakistan.

To date, Team India has not received the men’s Asia Cup trophy from the ACC president, and the same standoff has now emerged in the women’s edition of the tournament.

India secured the continental title with a comprehensive performance, scoring 183 for 5 before bowling Sri Lanka out for 111 in 20 overs. Sree Charani took four wickets for 20 runs, while openers Shafali Verma (68 off 39 balls, including nine fours and two sixes) and Smriti Mandhana (59 off 39 balls, with five fours and three sixes) recorded a record 129-run opening partnership.