Women's Asia Cup 2026: India refuse trophy from ACC chief Naqvi after record 8th title
Synopsis
India's women made history with a record eighth Asia Cup title — then made a statement. Following the same protocol as the men's team in 2025, the Women in Blue refused to accept the trophy from ACC president and Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, turning a sporting triumph into a pointed diplomatic signal at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Key Takeaways
India's women's team won the Asia Cup 2026 for a record eighth time , beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in Dubai on 14 September 2026 .
The team refused to accept the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi , who is also Pakistan's Federal Minister for Interior .
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajiv Shukla presented awards on the sidelines instead.
The refusal mirrors the men's team's stance at the T20 Asia Cup 2025 , where a standoff lasted nearly an hour before the trophy was removed.
Shafali Verma (68) and Smriti Mandhana (59) put on a record 129-run opening partnership ; Shree Charani (4 wickets) and Deepti Sharma (3 wickets) sealed the win.
The Indian women's cricket team declined to accept the Asia Cup 2026 trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi on 14 September 2026 in Dubai, after clinching the continental title for a record-extending eighth time with a dominant 72-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The snub reflects a now-established Indian protocol rooted in political objections to Naqvi's dual role as Pakistan's Federal Minister for Interior.
The Trophy Standoff
The Women in Blue were conspicuously absent when Naqvi stepped forward to present the trophy at the post-match ceremony. On the sidelines, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajiv Shukla stepped in to present fielding medallist Nandani Sharma with her award. Saikia addressed the squad and offered congratulations, but the team did not appear on stage for the official presentation.
According to reports, the BCCI had also reportedly written to Naqvi requesting that the trophy be handed over separately, but the request was not fulfilled despite India being the confirmed champions of the tournament.
A Precedent Set by the Men's Team
This was not the first time India has taken this stance at an ACC ceremony. The men's team similarly refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi after winning the T20 Asia Cup in 2025, following their final victory over Pakistan. On that occasion, the standoff reportedly lasted nearly an hour before Naqvi ordered the trophy to be removed from the stadium entirely. India skipper Suryakumar was later seen in a lighter moment, mimicking the trophy presentation and celebrating with teammates — but the team left without the silverware. The Indian players' refusal is linked to objections over Naqvi's role as Pakistan's Interior Minister and his alleged associations with policies critics argue have supported cross-border terrorism targeting India.
How India Won the Title
On the field, India produced a commanding all-round display to secure the championship. The top order set the tone as Shafali Verma blazed 68 runs and Smriti Mandhana contributed a composed 59, the pair stitching together a record 129-run opening stand to propel India to 183 for 5. In response, the Indian bowling attack dismantled Sri Lanka's chase, with Shree Charani snapping up four wickets and Deepti Sharma claiming three to bowl the side out well short of the target.
What Happens Next
The diplomatic undercurrent of the trophy episode is likely to reopen debate within cricket's governing bodies about whether the ACC presidency — currently held by a senior Pakistani political figure — is a structurally tenable arrangement given the state of India-Pakistan relations. With the BCCI's refusal now a documented pattern across both men's and women's teams, pressure may mount on the ACC to revisit its ceremonial protocols. India's historic eighth title, meanwhile, cements their standing as the undisputed force in women's Asian cricket.
Point of View
Now the women in 2026 — have effectively institutionalised a BCCI-backed diplomatic protest within ACC ceremonies. The ACC's silence on a protocol that has now twice produced a public standoff raises questions about the organisation's ability to separate sport from geopolitics. What makes this moment sharper is that it is the women's team carrying the flag: their record eighth title deserved a clean celebration, and the fact that the political noise overshadowed it is a cost India is clearly willing to bear. The bigger structural question — whether a sitting Pakistani interior minister should preside over an award ceremony that India is routinely expected to win — has yet to be asked aloud by any neutral cricket body.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India's women's team refuse the Asia Cup 2026 trophy from Mohsin Naqvi?
The Indian women's team declined to receive the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi because of his role as Pakistan's Federal Minister for Interior, with Indian players and officials objecting to his alleged associations with policies critics argue support cross-border terrorism targeting India. This mirrors a precedent set by the Indian men's team at the 2025 T20 Asia Cup.
How many times has India won the Women's Asia Cup?
India have now won the Women's Asia Cup a record eight times, extending their own record with the 2026 title. The latest triumph came via a 72-run victory over Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
What happened at the men's Asia Cup 2025 trophy ceremony involving Naqvi?
At the T20 Asia Cup 2025, the Indian men's team also refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi after beating Pakistan in the final. The standoff reportedly lasted nearly an hour before Naqvi ordered the trophy removed from the stadium; India eventually left without it.
Who were the standout performers in India's Asia Cup 2026 final win?
Shafali Verma (68) and Smriti Mandhana (59) shared a record 129-run opening partnership to power India to 183 for 5. With the ball, Shree Charani took four wickets and Deepti Sharma claimed three to bowl Sri Lanka out and seal a 72-run win.
Did India receive their Asia Cup 2026 trophy at all?
According to reports, the BCCI wrote to Naqvi requesting the trophy be handed over separately, but it was not given to the Indian team despite their being confirmed champions. BCCI officials conducted a separate, informal celebration with the players on the sidelines.
