Photo via Hindustan Times

BCCI hits out at ACC over ‘drastic’ Asia Cup trophy norm change; made requests on presentation ceremony

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has expressed strong dissatisfaction over altered trophy handover customs at the Asia Cup, following the Indian women's team declining the title from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi in Dubai. Naqvi, who currently serves as a Pakistani cabinet minister and chairs the Pakistan Cricket Board, was previously shunned in similar fashion by India's men's squad after their 2025 continental triumph.

That earlier demonstration arose in sympathy with victims of the Pahalgam terror strike, leading players to avoid the awards stage and bypass handshakes with Pakistani opponents, a boycott reiterated during subsequent ICC fixtures. Prior to Sunday's ceremony, Indian officials once again communicated their intent not to accept the silverware from Naqvi, mirroring their established eighteen-month policy that has left the 2025 men's hardware uncollected.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia emphasized that past tournaments adhered to a system where a victorious nation's own board leader handed over the crown, noting that Sri Lanka Cricket chief Shammi Silva gave out the awards following his country's men's and women's victories in 2022 and 2024. Saikia recalled that past ACC leadership under Jay Shah similarly permitted heads of triumphant federations, including those of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, to conduct the presentation.