India cricket teams may face another trophy ceremony standoff with Mohsin Naqvi at Asian Games
Following their refusal to accept the Women's Asia Cup trophy from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, India's cricket teams could encounter similar situations at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, where Naqvi's role as ACC president gives him authority over medal ceremonies.
Yousef Al Marzouqi
Trophy Ceremony Controversy Looms Over Asian Games
India's women's cricket team secured their eighth Asia Cup title with a commanding 72-run victory over Sri Lanka at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The triumph was overshadowed by a controversial trophy presentation ceremony when captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her squad walked off the ground after seeing Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on stage.
Naqvi, who serves as president of the Asian Cricket Council alongside his roles as PCB chairman and Pakistan's Interior Minister, was present in his capacity as ACC president. The Indian players' refusal to accept the trophy from him has raised questions about potential similar confrontations at upcoming tournaments.
Asian Games 2026: Potential for Another Standoff
The drama may repeat itself at the Asian Games 2026, scheduled to take place at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The women's cricket tournament, featuring eight teams in a straight knockout format, will begin on September 17 with the final scheduled for September 22. India will face hosts Japan in their quarter-final match on September 18.
As defending champions from Hangzhou 2023, where they defeated Sri Lanka by 19 runs, India enter as clear favorites. Their recent Asia Cup victory, their fourth T20 title, featured a record 129-run opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, demonstrating their dominance in the format.
Naqvi's Role in Tournament Protocol
The Asian Cricket Council serves as the contact point for cricket at the Asian Games 2026, formally establishing the ACC president's role in medal ceremonies. Naqvi assumed the ACC presidency on April 3, 2025, succeeding Sri Lanka's Shammi Silva, who had served for only three months after Jay Shah departed to become ICC chairman. This organizational structure means Naqvi is likely to be present at any medal ceremonies involving cricket.
Cricket will make its fourth appearance at the Asian Games in 2026, having previously featured at Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014, and Hangzhou 2023, after being excluded from Jakarta 2018. Both men's and women's tournaments will be played in T20 format.
Previous Trophy Presentation Incidents
This would not be the first time Indian teams have declined to receive trophies from Naqvi. On September 28, 2025, India's men's team refused to accept their ninth Asia Cup trophy after defeating Pakistan in Dubai. That ceremony was delayed for over 90 minutes, and captain Suryakumar Yadav described the situation as unprecedented, stating he had never seen a champion team denied a trophy in his cricket career.
Men's Tournament Schedule and Implications
The men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games will begin on September 24, with the final scheduled for October 3. India's men are also defending champions, having been awarded gold at Hangzhou 2023 after their final against Afghanistan was washed out. If both Indian teams reach their respective finals and maintain their stance, September 22 and October 3 could see history repeating itself with trophy presentation standoffs.
Naqvi regularly attends matches involving Pakistan, which makes his presence at the Asian Games highly probable. The convergence of his multiple high-profile positions creates a diplomatic challenge for tournament organizers who must balance protocol requirements with the sensitivities of participating teams.
