BCCI Official Says Mohsin Naqvi Did Not Object to India’s Trophy Decision
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla has said Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi did not object to India’s decision not to receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from him.
The statement came after India won the Women’s Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka in Dubai but declined to collect the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan’s interior minister.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to claim the title.
BCCI Explains Trophy Presentation Decision
According to Shukla, the decision was discussed within the BCCI and was taken collectively.
“We discussed the matter among ourselves and decided that we would not accept it from him. It was our collective decision,” Shukla said, according to Press Trust of India.
He added that Naqvi did not object to the decision and later presented the trophy as planned before leaving the venue.
Shukla’s comments followed criticism directed at him and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia after the two were seen interacting with Naqvi during the final.
BCCI Defends Interaction With Naqvi
Shukla described the interaction between the officials as professional and said it should not be viewed as a change in the BCCI’s position.
He said that people attending an international cricket match naturally interact with one another in an official capacity, adding that there was no need to attach additional significance to the exchange.
Saikia had previously stated that the BCCI informed the ACC before the final that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation if Naqvi was involved.
India-Pakistan Cricket Tensions
The trophy controversy is part of wider tensions between India and Pakistan that have affected cricketing relations between the two countries.
Since the military conflict between the two countries in May 2025, Indian cricket teams have avoided some traditional gestures involving Pakistani players and officials.
A similar situation occurred during the 2025 Asia Cup, when India declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi after winning the tournament.
The latest decision by India’s women’s team has extended the same position to the Women’s Asia Cup.
BCCI Maintains Its Position
BCCI officials have maintained that the decision was made after considering the prevailing circumstances and that the ACC was informed in advance.
The situation has attracted attention because of Naqvi’s dual role as ACC chairman and a senior Pakistani government official.
Despite the controversy surrounding the trophy presentation, India secured the Women’s Asia Cup title with a convincing 72-run victory over Sri Lanka.
