India’s women’s team had reportedly decided in advance not to accept the trophy from Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi, with coach Amol Muzumdar revealing that the players were following clear instructions from the BCCI.
The Indian women’s cricket team defeated Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final late on Sunday, but the post-match trophy presentation attracted attention after the players chose not to receive the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi.
The decision, according to head coach Amol Muzumdar, had been discussed and finalised before the match. The team was prepared for the possibility that Naqvi would be asked to present the trophy and had already decided how it would respond.
BCCI Had Already Issued Instructions
Speaking after the final, Muzumdar reportedly said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had instructed the team beforehand not to accept the trophy if it was presented by Naqvi.
The Indian players followed those instructions during the ceremony. As a result, the team did not take the trophy from Naqvi despite winning the title.
The coach’s explanation suggested that the incident was not an unexpected development or a last-minute decision. Instead, the team had prepared for the situation in advance and acted according to the plan communicated by the BCCI.
Similar Situation During Men’s Asia Cup
The development also followed a similar episode during the men’s Asia Cup, when the Indian team reportedly declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi.
After the presentation dispute, Naqvi left with the trophy. The same possibility emerged during the women’s final, as the Indian players chose not to accept the award from him.
The repeated incidents have added a political and diplomatic dimension to what would otherwise have been a routine sporting presentation. However, Muzumdar’s comments indicated that the women’s team had already been briefed about the protocol before the final.
India Focuses on Victory
Despite the controversy surrounding the trophy presentation, the Indian women’s team’s primary achievement remained its victory over Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final.
The players secured the title under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, while the post-match proceedings became a talking point because of the decision involving Naqvi.
The coach’s disclosure also explained why the situation did not lead to a major disruption during the ceremony. Since the team had been informed about the BCCI’s position in advance, the players were prepared to follow the instructions without any confusion.
The incident is likely to keep the focus on the intersection of cricket, sporting protocol and India-Pakistan relations, even as the Indian women’s team celebrates its Asia Cup triumph.
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