BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has explained India’s decision not to accept the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi following the team’s title-winning campaign in Dubai. India defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on September 13 to secure a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title.

However, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side did not participate in the traditional trophy presentation ceremony. The decision came a year after India’s men’s team similarly refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi. Saikia said India’s participation in matches against Pakistan in multinational tournaments is based on the government’s policy. However, he stressed that this does not mean India must accept every condition surrounding such fixtures or tournaments.

“Our government has a policy that we must play against every country in multinational tournaments. But that doesn’t mean we will follow every condition laid out for us,” Devajit Saikia said while speaking to IANS.

ALSO READ: “What did Sanju do in between that he got a chance?” – Mohammad Kaif

According to Saikia, the relationship between the two countries changed significantly following the April 2025 Pahalgam incident. He added that the ongoing tensions have influenced the BCCI’s position regarding interactions with Pakistani officials.

The BCCI secretary also said India could not accept the trophy from Naqvi because of his political position in Pakistan. Naqvi serves as both the PCB chairman and Pakistan’s interior minister, in addition to his role as ACC president.

Devajit Saikia further stated that the Indian women’s team’s decision was intended to show solidarity with the men’s team, which had taken the same position during the 2025 Asia Cup.

ALSO READ: “Yeh shaatir tab se the” – Former India coach Abhishek Nayar shares hilarious Rohit Sharma story

The trophy issue therefore remains unresolved for a second consecutive year. India’s men’s team won the 2025 Asia Cup but did not receive the trophy, which was subsequently retained at the ACC office. The latest development involving the women’s team has added another chapter to the continuing Asia Cup trophy controversy.