The controversy surrounding the Asian Games 2026 women’s cricket medal ceremony has taken a new turn, with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi set to miss the presentation following India Women’s gold-medal clash against Sri Lanka. According to a report by RevSportz, an alternate delegation will hand over the medals to the players after the final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on September 22.
Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) member Vinod Kumar Tiwari, Indian Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan and International Hockey Federation president Tayyab Ikram are reportedly expected to take part in the ceremony. India reached the final after convincing wins over Japan and Bangladesh. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side entered the gold-medal match in strong form, having recently defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup final to claim a record-extending eighth title.
Naqvi’s absence is particularly significant because of the controversy surrounding India’s previous trophy presentation involving the ACC chief. Following their Asia Cup triumph in Dubai on September 13, the Indian team did not collect the championship trophy from Naqvi.
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India had posted 183/5 in the final, with Shafali Verma scoring 68 and Smriti Mandhana contributing 59. Sri Lanka were subsequently bowled out for 111, with Shree Charani taking 4/20 and Deepti Sharma returning figures of 3/19.
A similar episode took place after the men’s Asia Cup final in 2025, when India defeated Pakistan in Dubai but did not accept the winner’s trophy from Naqvi. With both incidents still fresh, the medal ceremony at the Asian Games has attracted considerable attention ahead of the India-Sri Lanka final.
India Women’s final should be remembered for cricket, not who hands over the medals.
RevSportz reports Mohsin Naqvi will miss the ceremony after India declined to take the Asia Cup trophy from him on September 13. The organisers have finally put the players first.
— Gully Point (@gullypoint_) September 22, 2026
Meanwhile, Pakistan Women secured the bronze medal after beating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place playoff at Korogi Sports Park. Pakistan posted 145/8 after being sent in, with captain Fatima Sana leading the way with an unbeaten 45 off 30 balls, including three fours and three sixes.
Gull Feroza scored 31 from 23 balls, while Aliya Riaz added 25 off 22 deliveries. Bangladesh’s bowlers Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter and Nahida Akter claimed two wickets apiece. In reply, Bangladesh finished on 114/7. Shamim Akhter remained unbeaten on 46 off 45 balls, while Nigar Sultana contributed 25 from 30 deliveries.
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Pakistan’s bowlers maintained control during the chase, with Umm-e-Hani returning excellent figures of 3/10 from four overs. Tasmia Rubab, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu and Ayesha Zafar claimed one wicket each as Pakistan successfully defended their total to secure the bronze medal.
