NEW DELHI: India’s women’s cricket team won the Asia Cup for a record eighth time on Sunday. But the post-match celebrations were overshadowed by the team’s decision not to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister and the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).The decision echoed a similar incident involving India’s men’s team at the 2025 Asia Cup, where Suryakumar Yadav-led side also refused to take the trophy from Naqvi. The development drew widespread discussion once again.Former India captain Kapil Dev, when asked about the team’s decision not to receive the trophy from the PCB chief, came up with a brief and witty response. “Tell all of them to play golf,” he told news agency ANI.Watch:India had beaten Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai to lift their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.However, the Indian players did not attend the official trophy presentation involving Naqvi. The episode came a year after the men’s team had also declined to receive the Asia Cup trophy from him.
BCCI explains the decision
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board had already informed the organisers about its position before the presentation ceremony. According to him, the decision was not a last-minute reaction to events at the venue.“Winning the trophy is one thing, but winning the tournament is what truly matters. The issue regarding the trophy, which created a controversy, did not stem from our side. We had already clarified our stance, referencing the situation we faced last year regarding the Asian Games–a matter known to the entire nation,” Saikia told ANI.He added that the board had also made it clear that the team would not participate if the trophy presentation went ahead in the planned format.“We maintained our position based on that context. We had stated beforehand that we did not approve the manner in which they had planned the prize distribution ceremony. We informed their chairman that if they proceeded with that specific system, we would not participate. Since they did not agree, we chose not to accept the trophy in that manner; we will collect it later,” he added.Saikia also clarified that the decision was not made independently by the players and that there was no disagreement between the team and the BCCI.“This was entirely the BCCI’s decision. We had discussed everything internally, and the BCCI’s stance remains consistent with what it was previously. Whether it concerns the players, the team, or the BCCI officials, we are all united; there is no divergence between the players’ decisions and the BCCI’s decisions. We act as one. Whatever decision is taken, we proceed in accordance with the BCCI’s established policies,” he said.
