India secured a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title after a dominant 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. However, the post-match celebrations were overshadowed by a notable departure from standard protocol, as the Indian players opted not to collect the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman
The incident drew immediate attention as the Indian squad celebrated their win on the field while the trophy remained on the presentation stage. While the runners-up, led by Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, received their cheque from Naqvi, the Indian side refrained from participating in the formal handover. This development has since become a major talking point, with footage circulating online showing fans reacting to the event as Naqvi departed the venue.
BCCI Clarifies Stance on Presentation Snub
Following the conclusion of the match, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia provided an explanation regarding the team's decision. He stated that the move was a show of solidarity with the Indian men’s team, who had previously taken a similar stance following their own Asia Cup victory. Saikia cited ongoing geopolitical tensions and public sentiment as the primary drivers behind the decision to avoid receiving the trophy from the ACC president.
“Our military conflict is still ongoing. One of the main leaders who is working against the interests of our country; we can’t receive the trophy from him,” Saikia told IANS. He further noted that while the Indian government maintains a policy of participating in multinational tournaments, the team felt compelled to express their position regarding the presentation ceremony. Saikia confirmed that attempts were made to resolve the situation prior to the ceremony, but those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
Public Reaction and Context
The atmosphere at the stadium reflected the tension surrounding the event, with some spectators heard chanting as Naqvi exited the facility. Conversely, other footage captured supporters expressing their approval of the PCB chairman’s conduct during the tournament. The controversy has drawn comparisons to events following the men’s
Despite the focus on the presentation ceremony, the BCCI secretary emphasized that the primary objective for the team remained the sporting achievement. “We don’t have any regrets. Our ultimate priority and ambition was not to focus on who would give the trophy. We wanted the Indian team to win and we’ve achieved that,” Saikia added. The Indian team’s victory marks their eighth title in the tournament’s history, further cementing their status in the regional competition.
