India women refuse to receive Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi
India women’s coach Amol Muzumdar told reporters that the decision not to receive the trophy from Naqvi was taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
India’s women’s cricket team refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi after beating Sri Lanka in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
India defeated Sri Lanka in the final, but the presentation ceremony started 40 minutes late and ended after Sri Lanka received the runners-up awards, with the trophy not presented to the Indian team.
The move follows a similar decision by India’s men’s team at last year’s tournament.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is also Pakistan’s interior minister. India’s decision to bypass him during the trophy presentation reflects the strained political ties between the two neighbouring countries.
India and Pakistan were also involved in a brief military conflict last year that came close to turning into a full-scale war.
The two countries do not play bilateral cricket series and only face each other in tournaments organised by the International Cricket Council and the Asian Cricket Council at neutral venues.
India women’s coach Amol Muzumdar told reporters that the decision not to receive the trophy from Naqvi was taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
“We stand by that decision. For us, this tournament is over. We are champions, and that is enough for us,” he said.
“We are united. I am proud of every individual in this team, including the support staff and the players,” he added.
A similar incident took place last year when India refused to receive the men’s Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after defeating Pakistan in the final in Dubai in September.
The trophy presentation was delayed by more than an hour on that occasion and the ceremony was eventually ended just before the trophy was due to be handed to the Indian team.
India win eighth Asia Cup title
India’s women beat 2024 champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday to win the Asia Cup.
It was India’s eighth Asia Cup title in 10 editions of the tournament.
