Why Did India's Women's Cricket Team Decline the Asia Cup Trophy?

In a significant move, India's women's cricket team opted not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC's Pakistani chief, Mohsin Naqvi. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia explained that this decision was made considering the current circumstances and national sentiments, echoing a similar stance taken by the men's team in the past. This article delves into the reasons behind this bold choice and its implications in the context of recent events between India and Pakistan.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 14, 2026, 12:30 IST

India's Women's Team Takes a Stand

New Delhi: On Monday, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia explained that the Indian women's cricket team's decision to decline the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistani chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), was a deliberate and institutional choice made by the Board, taking into account the current circumstances and national sentiments.

The women's team secured a 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final held in Dubai on Sunday but chose not to accept the trophy from Naqvi, following a precedent set by the men's team during the 2025 Asia Cup, which was influenced by the tragic Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

"We made a conscious decision after considering all relevant factors, and we had informed the ACC beforehand that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation due to the prevailing circumstances," Saikia stated.

"Given the current situation and the sentiments in our country, the BCCI believed it was inappropriate for the team to accept the trophy in the proposed manner.

"This decision was firmly rooted in our institutional stance and was not aimed at the players, the tournament, or the sport itself," he added.

The backdrop of this decision includes a brief military confrontation between the two nations following the terror attack in April of the previous year.