Political tensions between India and Pakistan have spilled onto the cricket field again, with India’s women refusing to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
India dominated from the start to win the tournament for a record eighth time, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai.
After winning the toss, India scored 5-183 before dismissing Sri Lanka for 111 in 20 overs.
The presentation ceremony was delayed nearly an hour, during which the Indian team conducted its own medal presentation, with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia presenting the best fielder medal to Nandani Sharma.
Naqvi — chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the ACC, as well as Pakistan’s interior minister — stood on the dais with several ACC officials, but the Indian team did not appear to receive medals or the trophy, with social media footage showing them leaving the field as the officials waited on stage.
The ceremony ended abruptly after medals were presented to the Sri Lankan team and match officials, and Naqvi presented the runners-up cheque to Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu.
“This is BCCI’s stand [to not take trophy from Naqvi]. We can’t say anything on this,” India coach Amol Muzumdar said.
“India are officially the champions. Trophy or no trophy doesn’t matter to us.
“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.”
Cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan brought the two countries to the brink of war last year, with the acrimony also spilling onto the cricket field. Indian cricketers have avoided handshakes with Pakistan players and refused to accept the trophy and medals from a Pakistani official at several tournaments.
The Indian men’s team beat Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup, including the final, but Suryakumar Yadav’s team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi and did not shake hands with Pakistan players in any of the three games.
The Indian women’s team did not shake hands with the Pakistan team in its match earlier in the tournament, after which Muzumdar also said: “That stand has been taken by BCCI and we stand by it.”
AP
By
