BCCI secretary assures Asia Cup trophies 'will land up' at their head office

Last week, India women refused to take the winners' medals and the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the PCB chief and the interior minister of Pakistan. The scene mirrored the one that unfolded after the men's Asia Cup final in Dubai last September.

A similar situation could arise at the cricket competition in the ongoing Asian Games, since the tournament is conducted under the aegis of the ACC, and both India's men and women's teams are expected to reach the gold-medal match.

"Asia Cup trophies… we hope it will come one day," Saikia said in Mumbai on Friday after the BCCI's 95th Annual General Meeting. "I will not give you a timeline, but I can assure you that both the trophies will come up and land up in this BCCI head office at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai."

After the 72-run win against Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday, the Indian team conducted their own medal presentation for the best fielder, with fielding coach Munish Bali handing it out. Saikia and BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla awarded the fielding medal to Nandani Sharma, who took two diving catches in the final. A day later, Saikia also said that it was a "firm institutional decision" to not take the award from Naqvi.

"Our position had been communicated to the ACC in advance that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances," Saikia had told PTI. "Given the circumstances and the sentiments prevailing in the country, the BCCI felt that it would not be appropriate for the team to receive the trophy in the proposed manner.

"This was a firm institutional decision, reflective of the position we have maintained, and was not directed at the players, the tournament or the sport."

Following cross-border tensions between the two countries in May 2025, India's players have refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players and their representatives. Almost a year ago, the Suryakumar Yadav-led men's team was also not seen at the post-match presentation after their win over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final. During the presentation, which was delayed, only the runners-up were presented with their medals.