Will Harmanpreet Kaur Accept the Trophy from Mohsin Naqvi if India Win the Asia Cup?

India are among the favourites to win the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup, and barring a major upset, they are strong contenders to lift the title. But if India become champions, another question is already attracting attention: will captain Harmanpreet Kaur accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi?

According to a report by Gulf News, Naqvi is expected to attend the Women’s Asia Cup final in Dubai on September 13.

Naqvi is not only the president of the ACC but also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s interior minister. His presence at the final could therefore bring back memories of last year’s controversial trophy presentation.

A similar situation unfolded during last year’s men’s Asia Cup final. India defeated Pakistan to win the title, but the Indian players did not accept the trophy from Naqvi. The team eventually celebrated their championship without the trophy.

The incident came amid heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. Although a ceasefire was later reached with US President Donald Trump playing a mediating role, political and diplomatic tensions between the two countries remained.

Since Naqvi also holds a senior political position in Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had taken the position that Indian players would not receive the trophy from a top Pakistani political figure.

If India win the Women’s Asia Cup this time, Naqvi could once again be the official handing over the trophy. However, neither the Indian government nor the BCCI has officially clarified whether Harmanpreet Kaur will accept the trophy from him.

Meanwhile, the Asia Cup trophy from last year has still not reached India. It is reportedly being kept at the ACC headquarters in Dubai.