BCCI defends ‘conscious’ choice to not accept women’s Asia Cup title from Naqvi as trophy row deepens

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia opened up on the Women’s Asia Cup trophy row, saying that not receiving the title from PCB chief/ACC President Mohsin Naqvi was a conscious decision amid deepening hostile relations between India and Pakistan.

India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs to win the Women’s Asia Cup final on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, but chose not to accept the trophy from Naqvi.

This movement began during the 2025 men’s Asia Cup when the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian team did not accept the trophy from the PCB chief following the Pahalgam terror attacks, which killed 26 innocent civilians.

Not accepting trophy from Naqvi a ‘conscious decision’

Saikia told the media that India’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi had been communicated to the Asian Cricket Council well in advance.

“We had taken a conscious decision, considering all prevailing aspects, and our position had been communicated to the ACC in advance, that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances,” Saikia said, as quoted by PTI.

More from Firstcricket

The BCCI secretary also cleared the air over images that showed him talking to Naqvi. He defended the images, saying they merely had a ‘routine interaction.‘

Naqvi did not object

BCCI vice president Rajev Shukla, who was also present at the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dubai, said that the ACC President did not object to their stance.

“We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it (trophy) from him. It was our collective decision. He (Naqvi) also did not raise any objection to it.

“We informed our team accordingly, and he presented it to whoever he had to and then left,” Shukla said to reporters upon his arrival at IGI Airport with the team.

Upon their return from Dubai, India Women will now gear up for the Asian Games challenge, where they will face Japan in the quarterfinal on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 10:30 AM IST.