India's Asia Cup trophies remain unclaimed as women's team boycotts Dubai ceremony

India's Asia Cup trophies remain unclaimed as women's team boycotts Dubai ceremony

India's women's cricket team secured a commanding 72-run victory over Sri Lanka at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night to claim their record eighth Asia Cup title. Yet the celebration ended without the traditional trophy-lifting moment, as the team refused to participate in the official presentation ceremony.

The boycott mirrors an identical standoff from 2025, when India's men's team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, declined to receive their Asia Cup trophy at the same venue. A year later, both trophies remain at the Asian Cricket Council headquarters in Dubai, located on the first floor of the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai Sports City.

Diplomatic impasse at the heart of the controversy

The diplomatic impasse centres on Mohsin Naqvi, who simultaneously serves as Pakistan's Federal Interior Minister, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, and President of the Asian Cricket Council. Naqvi assumed the ACC presidency in April 2025 under the organisation's rotating leadership structure, which saw Pakistan's turn to hold the position. He is scheduled to serve until 2027.

Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Devajit Saikia revealed that the women's team had been prepared to accept the trophy from ACC Deputy Chairman Khalid Al Zarooni. When Naqvi rejected this proposal, the BCCI withdrew from the ceremony entirely.

"We did not want to be part of the presentation in line with our previous stand from a year and a half ago. We are yet to receive our men's Asia Cup. But we want to keep our position intact by giving respect to a lot of our people who have given their lives at the hands of some foreign mercenaries."

The controversy underscores deepening tensions between the two nations that have pervaded cricket diplomacy for nearly two decades. India's cricket team has not played in Pakistan since 2008, following the Mumbai terror attacks that triggered a complete breakdown in bilateral cricket ties.

Geopolitical strains force neutral venues

These geopolitical strains have repeatedly forced tournament organisers to seek neutral venues. The 2025 Men's Asia Cup, officially hosted by India, was relocated to the UAE after Pakistan refused to travel to India. Similarly, when Pakistan hosted the 2023 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka served as a secondary venue for the latter part of the tournament because India declined to visit Pakistan.

During the 2025 Men's Asia Cup, the deterioration of relations was visible on the field. India and Pakistan faced each other three times, and not once did their captains shake hands during the toss. The customary post-match handshakes between players were also conspicuously absent.

The men's trophy controversy prompted formal action from the BCCI. At an Asian Cricket Council meeting, BCCI representative Rajeev Shukla confronted Naqvi directly, demanding to know why the trophy was not handed over. The BCCI subsequently prepared to file an official complaint with the International Cricket Council over the incident.

India's dominant Asia Cup record

India's women extended their dominance in the tournament with Sunday's victory, having previously appeared in nine Asia Cup finals and winning eight titles. Their only defeats came against Bangladesh in 2018 and Sri Lanka in 2024, when the hosts claimed their maiden title. The men's team holds an even more impressive record as the most successful side in Asia Cup history, with nine titles from victories in 1984, 1988, 1990-91, 1995, 2010, 2016, 2018, 2023, and 2025.

Despite the absence of the silverware, the BCCI maintains confidence that both trophies will eventually reach India. "The BCCI congratulates the women's team for their thumping win in the Asia Cup. The whole country is totally elated and proud of our cricketers," Saikia said. "At some stage, we will get both trophies back."

For now, the question posed in the immediate aftermath remains unanswered: when will India's Asia Cup champions finally receive the hardware that accompanies their achievements?