DUBAI: India Persists in Bringing Politics Into Sports yet again, as the Indian women’s cricket team reportedly declined to collect the Asia Cup 2026 trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Syed Mohsin Naqvi during the closing ceremony at Dubai International Stadium.
According to sources, the Indian women’s team did not attend the trophy presentation after the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2026 final. Mohsin Naqvi reportedly left the Dubai International Stadium following the closing ceremony, while the Indian players remained outside their dressing room instead of joining the presentation.
The Sri Lankan team, which finished as runners-up, collected its runners-up award from the ACC president before the ceremony came to an end.
Sources within the Asian Cricket Council said the procedure for presenting the tournament trophy was clear, with the winning team expected to receive the trophy from the ACC president. Following the conclusion of the ceremony, the Asia Cup trophy was reportedly moved to the ACC office.
India Persists in Bringing Politics Into Sports
The reported decision by the Indian team has once again sparked a debate over the intersection of politics and cricket. The development comes at a time when sporting relations between Pakistan and India remain affected by broader political tensions.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) criticized the Indian team’s reported decision, maintaining that politics should not be brought into cricket. The PCB said its position remained unchanged and that sports should be kept separate from political disputes.
The incident has also attracted attention because of a similar development involving the Indian men’s team during the Men’s Asia Cup 2025. India reportedly refused to collect the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi on that occasion as well.
The repeated controversy has raised questions about the role of political disagreements in international sporting events. Cricket between Pakistan and India has traditionally attracted enormous attention across South Asia, making every interaction between the two sides closely scrutinized.
Strained Cricket Relations Between Pakistan and India
Cricket relations between Pakistan and India have remained strained for several years. Political tensions between the two neighboring countries have frequently affected their sporting ties, particularly bilateral cricket.
India has generally declined to travel to Pakistan for cricket competitions, while the two teams have continued to meet at international tournaments and other events held at neutral venues.
The absence of regular bilateral cricket has made major competitions featuring Pakistan and India particularly significant for fans. However, disagreements surrounding tournaments and official ceremonies have increasingly become part of the wider discussion about their sporting relationship.
Also Read: Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Pakistan Face Hong Kong in Clash Today, Eyeing Semi-Final Spot
The latest Asia Cup controversy is expected to fuel further debate over whether political differences should influence sporting events and interactions between players and officials.
Cricket administrators and fans have repeatedly emphasized the importance of keeping sport separate from political disputes. For many supporters, international cricket provides an opportunity for athletes from rival countries to compete professionally while maintaining mutual respect.
With Pakistan and India continuing to remain among the world’s most closely followed cricketing rivals, any development involving the two teams is likely to attract considerable attention.
The latest trophy-presentation dispute has once again placed the relationship between politics and sport under the spotlight, with the PCB insisting that cricket should remain focused on competition rather than political differences.
