BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has defended his cordial interaction with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the 2026 Women’s Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday. Saikia explained that meeting and speaking with officials during a cricket match was simply part of normal protocol, despite the BCCI maintaining its decision not to accept the trophy from Naqvi.

Naqvi attended the final in his capacity as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, with the tournament being organised by the continental governing body. India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to win the Women’s Asia Cup.

However, the Indian team did not attend the official trophy presentation ceremony. The decision was viewed as a gesture of solidarity following the Pahalgam terror attack, particularly because Naqvi also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister. Despite India’s stance, Saikia and BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla were seen interacting with Naqvi and sharing the audience box with him and other officials during the final.

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Speaking to IANS, Devajit Saikia explained that there was nothing unusual about the interaction and insisted that the BCCI officials would continue to meet people in a cricketing environment.

“It’s not as if we wouldn’t meet anyone.” Saikia said he had been seated in the Royal Box from the toss until the conclusion of the match. He explained that several officials came and spoke to him during the game, including Shukla and Naqvi.

“That’s just a normal tradition—whenever anyone comes, we meet and talk with everyone.” The BCCI secretary also revealed that efforts were made to find a solution to the situation surrounding the trophy presentation, although those attempts were unsuccessful. “We tried to solve today’s situation, but our efforts were not successful. We don’t have any regrets.”

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According to Saikia, the BCCI’s primary objective throughout the tournament was never to focus on who would present the trophy. Instead, the board wanted India Women to win the title, something Harmanpreet and her team successfully accomplished. “Our ultimate priority and ambition was not to focus on who would give the trophy. We wanted the Indian team to win and we’ve achieved that.”