India Wins Women Asia Cup: Refuses Trophy From Pakistan Minister

India won the Women’s Asia Cup but did not take the trophy from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi because of tensions between India and Pakistan.

India’s women’s cricket team won the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup, defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on 13 September.

This was India’s eighth Women’s Asia Cup title. But after the match, the trophy presentation became the biggest talking point.

India did not receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

Naqvi is also the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s Interior Minister.

The BCCI had informed officials before the final that the Indian team would not accept the trophy from Naqvi if he presented it.

When India won in Dubai, Naqvi was present at the stadium and was expected to take part in the ceremony.

Instead, the Indian team celebrated separately, with BCCI officials joining them.

But why?

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia later said the decision was linked to the change in India-Pakistan relations following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025.

India continues to participate in multinational cricket tournaments where Pakistan is also involved, meaning the two teams can still face each other when the tournament format requires it.

However, India has maintained a separate position on certain ceremonial interactions with Pakistani officials.

So, India accepted the victory but not the trophy from Naqvi.