Photo via Hindustan Times

India women reclaim Asia Cup, refuse to accept trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi

India captured their eighth Women's Asia Cup championship in Dubai, avenging their 2024 final defeat by overwhelming Sri Lanka by 72 runs. Propelled by a brisk 129-run first-wicket partnership between Shafali Verma (68) and Smriti Mandhana (59), Harmanpreet Kaur's squad amassed 183 for 5, bolstered by late contributions from Richa Ghosh, the captain, and Gunalan Kamalini.

In response, Sri Lanka collapsed to 111 all out on the final delivery, undone by Shree Charani's 4 for 20 and Deepti Sharma's 3 for 19 once opposing skipper Chamari Athapaththu fell for 36.

Despite the triumph, the Indian side declined to receive the winners' trophy from Asian Cricket Council head Mohsin Naqvi, mirroring the stance adopted by the men's national team the preceding September. BCCI official Devajit Saikia confirmed the board maintained its refusal because Naqvi serves as Pakistan's interior minister, adding that India plans to collect both trophies at a later date.