Women’s Asia Cup: India Refuses Trophy From Naqvi Again, Harmanpreet Repeats Suryakumar’s 2025 Stand

Dubai: India lifted the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 title after defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs, but the celebrations ended with an unusual twist. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian team did not receive the winner’s trophy or medals during the prize distribution ceremony at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 13.

The development followed a standoff over who would present the trophy to the Indian champions.

BCCI, Naqvi Disagree Over Trophy Presentation

Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), arrived at the stadium shortly before the final ended and wanted to personally present the trophy to the Indian team.

The BCCI did not agree to the proposal. As a result, the presentation ceremony was delayed while discussions took place behind the scenes.

The Indian side reportedly suggested that ACC Vice-President Khalid Al Zarooni present the trophy instead. However, that proposal was not accepted.

Naqvi Presents Sri Lanka’s Runner-Up Cheque

Naqvi eventually presented the runner-up cheque to Sri Lanka. He was joined on stage by Khalid Al Zarooni, Eran Wickramaratne of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Transformation Committee, Emirates Cricket Board General Secretary Mubashir Usmani and a representative of title sponsor DP World.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla were present at the stadium but did not join Naqvi on stage. Instead, they met the Indian players on the field.

The ceremony ended without the Indian team receiving the winner’s trophy or medals on stage.

Same Scene Repeated After Suryakumar’s Asia Cup Win

The episode brought back memories of the Men’s Asia Cup 2025, also held in Dubai.

India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, had defeated Pakistan to win that tournament. A similar dispute over the trophy presentation took place then, with the Indian team refusing to accept the trophy from Naqvi.

Nearly a year later, the BCCI appears to have maintained the same position during the women’s tournament.

Amol Mazumdar: India Stands by Its Position

India women’s head coach Amol Mazumdar said the team was standing by the BCCI’s position.

Mazumdar stressed that India had completed its objective by winning the Asia Cup and could take pride in the achievement. He also pointed out that India was identified as the champion on the stadium’s big screen.

With the Asia Cup campaign now over, Mazumdar said the team’s attention has shifted to its next major target — the Asian Games.