BCCI Raises Questions Over Asia Cup Trophy Presentation Tradition

The Asia Cup trophy controversy has intensified after BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia questioned the Asian Cricket Council’s decision to change the traditional trophy presentation process. Saikia revealed that India had requested an alternative arrangement during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final in Dubai to avoid another presentation dispute.

Post Published By: Subhash Raturi

Updated : 14 September 2026, 1:06 PM IST

Asia Cup trophy ceremony dispute grows after India questions ACC’s new presentation rule (Image: Google)

Dubai: The controversy surrounding the Asia Cup trophy presentation has escalated after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) questioned the Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) decision to modify the long-standing trophy handover tradition. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board had requested an alternative arrangement before the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final presentation ceremony in Dubai. The Indian team had refused to receive the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and a Pakistan government minister.  According to Saikia, the issue was not about creating controversy, but about maintaining the earlier tradition followed in previous Asia Cup editions.

BCCI claims Asia Cup trophy tradition changed recently

Saikia stated that earlier, the Asia Cup winners usually received the trophy from the head of their respective cricket boards. He pointed out that during previous tournaments, including editions won by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the winning teams were presented with the trophy by officials from their own cricket boards. The BCCI official claimed that this practice changed during the 2024-25 period when India won the men’s Asia Cup title. India wanted the original tradition to continue and had made the same request before the Women’s Asia Cup final, added Saikia.

India requested alternative trophy presentation In Dubai

Saikia revealed that BCCI representatives, including himself and vice-president Rajeev Shukla, suggested that the ACC deputy chairman could present the trophy instead. The request was made to prevent any controversy during the ceremony and ensure that the focus remained on the cricketing achievement. However, after discussions, the Indian women’s team decided not to come on stage to collect the trophy, resulting in a delay of nearly 50 minutes in the presentation ceremony.

Mohsin Naqvi trophy row continues after Men’s Asia Cup

The latest incident followed a similar controversy during the men’s Asia Cup 2025, when the Indian team also refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi. The men’s team had avoided the podium after their title victory, and the trophy reportedly remained with the ACC after the disagreement. The issue has continued to attract attention due to the strained cricketing relationship between India and Pakistan.

BCCI says situation between India and Pakistan cannot be ignored

Saikia clarified that the board’s decision was linked to the current circumstances surrounding frosty India-Pakistan relations. He said cricket cannot be separated from the realities outside the stadium and added that everyone is aware of the developments affecting relations between the two countries.

According to Saikia, BCCI’s position has remained unchanged for nearly one and a half years, which is why India has not collected the men’s Asia Cup trophy yet.