India Refuses Asia Cup Trophy as Sri Lanka Accepts Runner-Up Awards

While the victorious Indian women's cricket team refused to participate in the post-match ceremony, the runner-up Sri Lankan team accepted their medals and awards from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Following their win in the Women's Asia Cup final, the Indian players did not come to the ground to collect the trophy from Naqvi, who was the chief guest. In contrast, the Sri Lankan team attended the ceremony and received their runner-up honours from the ACC president.

The standoff at the Women's Asia Cup final has drawn commentary from within India, with prominent sports journalist Vikrant Gupta criticising the Indian team's decision to refuse the trophy.

According to reports on his comments, Gupta stated that the Indian women's team repeated the "mistake" made by the men's team and supported the ACC's decision to have the trophy returned to its office, suggesting India could request it later.

Sources within the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have stated that its chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, remains firm in his position regarding the presentation of the Women's Asia Cup trophy. According to the sources, there has been no change in the stance that the winning Indian team must receive the trophy from Naqvi, who was the chief guest at the final.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has responded to the Indian women's team's refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy, stating that its position remains unchanged. According to ACC sources, the protocol for the trophy presentation was clear, and the council maintains that the winning team must receive the trophy from the ACC President, Mohsin Naqvi. The sources added that a previous trophy won by the Indian men's team is also available and awaiting collection.

The incident also drew a response from Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, who accused India of politicizing the sport. He stated that India was attempting to "erase the humiliation of diplomatic and military defeats" and that Pakistan has never mixed sports with politics.