Dubai, September 14 (KNS): India’s women’s cricket team returned without the Asia Cup trophy despite winning the tournament in convincing fashion, after a standoff over its presentation involving Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s side defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final at the Dubai International Stadium to clinch the Asia Cup title.

However, the post-match presentation was marred by a disagreement over who would hand over the winners’ trophy to the Indian team.

Naqvi arrived at the stadium shortly before the final concluded and insisted on presenting the trophy himself. The Indian side, however, did not agree to receive it from him.

The presentation ceremony was consequently delayed and eventually concluded without the Indian players receiving either the trophy or medals.

ACC vice-president Khalid Al Zarooni was understood to have been considered acceptable to the Indian side for the trophy presentation. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia was also present at the venue, along with BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, but neither went up on the dais.

Naqvi presented the runners-up cheque to the Sri Lankan team. Al Zarooni, Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee head Eran Wickramaratne, Emirates Cricket Board secretary general Mubashir Usmani and a representative of title sponsor DP World were also present on the podium.

A source familiar with the developments said the Indian team had maintained its position that Naqvi should not present the trophy.

“The compromise was to go ahead with the ceremony without the presentation of the winners’ trophy.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelSo there was neither a trophy nor medals for the Indian players,” the source said.

India head coach Amol Muzumdar later backed the BCCI’s position, saying the team was united on the matter and considered itself the champion.

“That stand has been taken by the BCCI, and we stand by it. For us, this tournament is over. We are the champions. That’s good enough,” Muzumdar said.

He pointed out that India’s victory was displayed on the stadium’s big screen and said the team was proud of its achievement.

“We are happy that we have turned out to be champions. Now, we look forward to the Asian Games,” he said.

Muzumdar reiterated that the team stood firmly behind the BCCI’s decision.

“The stand has been taken by the BCCI, and we are united and standing by it. For us, this tournament is officially over. The fact that we are champions, we are really glad, and I am really proud of every single person in this unit,” he said.

The episode echoes a similar controversy involving the Indian men’s team at the Asia Cup last year, when the winners also did not receive the trophy after a dispute over its presentation.

The men’s tournament had followed the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, creating a particularly sensitive atmosphere around India-Pakistan cricketing ties.

A year later, tensions remain unresolved, with the BCCI maintaining its position and the latest Asia Cup final again ending without the Indian champions receiving the tournament trophy.(KNS)