SportsPosted at: Sep 14 2026 5:36PM


Muzumdar backs BCCI stance as India’s women’s Asia Cup win ends without trophy ceremony

Tridib Baparnash
New Delhi, Sep 14 (UNI) India’s record eighth Women’s Asia Cup triumph ended on an unusual note on Sunday, with the champions neither receiving the trophy nor their medals after their 72-run victory over Sri Lanka, as the presence of Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi once again became the centre of attention at the presentation ceremony.
Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chief and the country's Interior Minister, was in attendance at the Dubai International Stadium as the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side completed a dominant campaign. But, much like last year’s men’s Asia Cup final, the post-match presentation did not go ahead as expected, leaving the Indian team to celebrate their title without the customary trophy ceremony.

The presentation was delayed by nearly 50 minutes after India’s emphatic win. During the wait, medals were presented to the Sri Lankan players, but the ceremony was abruptly brought to an end afterwards.

The turn of events mirrored the men's Asia Cup final last September, when the Indian men’s team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after winning the tournament. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had then said India did not want to receive the trophy from someone who was "one of the main leaders of Pakistan”.

On Sunday, India’s players once again stayed away from a presentation involving Naqvi. Instead, the team organised its own brief ceremony to honour the best fielder of the tournament. Fielding coach Munish Bali presented the medal to Nandani Sharma, while BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and vice-president Rajeev Shukla were also present.

The sequence came against the backdrop of continuing tensions between India and Pakistan. Since cross-border tensions escalated in May 2025, Indian teams have avoided handshakes with Pakistan players and officials. The men’s team followed that stance during last year’s Asia Cup, while the women’s side did the same during this year’s tournament.

India head coach Amol Muzumdar backed the position taken by the BCCI and said the team was focused on the title rather than the presentation.

“That stand has been taken by BCCI and we stand by it," India coach Amol Muzumdar said at the press conference afterwards. "For us, this tournament is over, we are the champions. That's good enough. It was on the big board that India are the champions of Asia Cup 2026. This tournament is officially over for us. We're happy that we're the champions and we look forward to the Asian Games.”

The absence of a conventional presentation did not take away from India’s emphatic campaign. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side remained unbeaten through the tournament and capped it with
a commanding victory over the defending champions.
Harmanpreet, who was not interviewed as part of the customary on-field presentation, spoke separately to the broadcaster a few minutes after India sealed the title.

“I think we played to our standards because that's what we discussed when we came here. We have certain standards, and we have to keep matching them every day," she said. "We are very happy with the way we all performed. And I think the girls have done fabulously well throughout the entire tournament, setting [a target of] 184 in a final. That's a big thing.”

The India captain also highlighted the contribution of openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, who laid the foundation for the victory with a 129-run opening stand. The pair scored aggressive half-centuries to put India in control before the middle order provided the finishing touches, helping the team post 183/5. Sri Lanka were subsequently bowled out for 111, with India’s spinners completing the job.

“We all knew it's not that easy to bat [on Dubai's slow pitches], but I think our openers did an absolutely great job for us, the way they both batted, Smriti and Shafali," Harmanpreet said.
"It's all about playing good cricket, and at the end of the day, I'm very happy overall.”
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