15 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has said the Indian women’s cricket team’s decision not to accept the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi was a collective decision of the BCCI, and that Naqvi did not raise any objection.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai on September 13 to win the Women’s Asia Cup for a record-extending eighth time. However, the trophy presentation became the centre of controversy after the Indian team did not participate in the ceremony with Naqvi.
Shukla Calls It a Collective BCCI Decision
Speaking after returning to India with the victorious team, Shukla said the matter had been discussed within the board before the decision was taken.
He said the BCCI had collectively decided that the Indian team would not accept the trophy from Naqvi. According to Shukla, Naqvi “did not raise any objection” to the decision.
Shukla added that the team had been informed about the decision and that Naqvi subsequently presented the trophy as required before leaving.
BCCI Had Communicated Its Position in Advance
The clarification comes after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board had already communicated its position to the ACC before the final.
Saikia said the decision was taken after considering the prevailing circumstances and that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation if Naqvi was involved.
Naqvi’s Role as ACC Chairman
Naqvi is the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council as well as Pakistan’s interior minister.
His presence at the trophy presentation became politically sensitive amid strained India-Pakistan relations. The controversy also follows a similar incident involving the Indian men’s team at the 2025 Asia Cup, when the players declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi.
Routine Interaction With Naqvi, Says Shukla
Shukla also addressed images showing Saikia interacting with Naqvi during the final.
He described the exchange as a routine professional interaction, arguing that officials from different cricket organisations naturally meet and communicate when they are attending the same match.
He said there was no reason for the interaction to attract excessive criticism.
India Celebrates Eighth Asia Cup Triumph
Despite the presentation controversy, India’s women’s team produced a dominant performance in the final.
India scored 183 for five, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 59 and Shafali Verma making 68. Sri Lanka were subsequently bowled out for 111, with spinner Shree Charani taking four wickets for 20 runs.
The victory secured India’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.
Focus Now Shifts to Asian Games
Shukla said the team should now focus on its next assignment, the Asian Games in Japan.
He expressed confidence that the players could continue their winning run after their Asia Cup success.
Trophy Controversy Overshadows Presentation
The episode has nevertheless reignited debate over the intersection of cricket and India-Pakistan political tensions.
BCCI officials have maintained that the trophy decision was an organisational one, while the team itself remained focused on winning the tournament.
The latest comments from Shukla also indicate that the ACC chairman did not formally challenge India’s decision during the presentation.