BCCI reveals reason for not accepting trophy from Naqvi

India has not accepted the trophy despite winning the Asia Cup for two consecutive years. Whether it was the men's team last September or the women's team recently—after becoming champions in both instances, the Indian team was not seen accepting the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi.

The reason behind both incidents is the same: avoiding Naqvi. Now, Devajit Saikia, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has explained why India is unwilling to accept the trophy from him.

Bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have long been tense. Ties deteriorated further following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025. Political tensions escalated even more after India launched 'Operation Sindoor,' and this impact extended to cricket as well.

While India plays against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments, the country has adopted a stance of refraining from shaking hands with Pakistani players. Last year, after winning the men's Asia Cup, Suryakumar Yadav's team did not accept the trophy from Naqvi; the women's team has now followed suit.

Why not accept the trophy from Naqvi?

Speaking to the news agency IANS after the final, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that the situation regarding India's relationship with Pakistan changed completely after the Pahalgam incident. Additionally, India did not wish to accept the trophy from Naqvi due to the role he has played.

According to Saikia, the Pahalgam attack sparked objections among the general public regarding maintaining ties with the neighboring country and playing cricket against them. However, the Indian government holds a different policy regarding participation in multi-nation tournaments.

He noted that the BCCI is adhering to the government's policy, which mandates playing against every country in multi-nation competitions; that is why India plays matches against Pakistan.

However, Saikia believes that taking the field against Pakistan does not imply accepting everything about them.

'We cannot accept the trophy from him'

The BCCI Secretary stated that while India's relationship with Pakistan was already strained, the situation became even more complex after April 2025. He asserted that Naqvi is a key figure who is acting against India's interests. Saikia stated that, consequently, it was not possible for him to accept the trophy from Naqvi, even though they were playing against Pakistan in a multinational tournament.

Explanation regarding sitting side-by-side in the Royal Box

The Women's Asia Cup final took place at the Dubai International Stadium. Debajit Saikia was present in the Royal Box during the match. There, he was seen near Naqvi, alongside BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla.

So, if he wasn't going to accept the trophy, what was the objection to sitting side-by-side in the same box?

Saikia provided an explanation for this as well. According to him, meeting or speaking with someone is a different matter. He remained in the Royal Box from the start of the match until the end; various people visited, and he interacted with everyone naturally.

Naqvi also came to the Royal Box and sat next to Deputy Chairman Khalid. Saikia maintained that this was merely a standard formality.

BCCI has ‘no regrets’ regarding the trophy

The BCCI had proposed that the ACC Vice-President, rather than Naqvi, hand over the trophy to the champion team. However, Naqvi did not agree to this.

Nevertheless, Saikia stated that there are no regrets regarding the trophy controversy. He remarked that the BCCI's primary objective was not about who would present the trophy, but rather ensuring the Indian team could comfortably win the match and secure the title.

He believes that objective was achieved.

Eighth title after defeating Sri Lanka

India won their eighth title by defeating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women's Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Stadium.

However, alongside this major success on the field, the political tension between India and Pakistan became evident during the post-match trophy presentation ceremony. The incident involving the refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi brought that controversy back into the spotlight.