The Women's Asia Cup in Dubai could bring an unusual situation for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) if India reach the final. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi could potentially be involved in the trophy presentation, according to a PTI report.
Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Pakistan's Interior Minister, could once again find himself at the centre of a presentation-related issue.
Why Mohsin Naqvi's Presence Creates an Awkward Situation for BCCI
The controversy stems from last year's men's Asia Cup. India's players chose not to receive the trophy from Naqvi following tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military conflict. Naqvi took the trophy away, and it has reportedly still not been handed over to the Indian team.
According to Hindustan Times, this is described as "a trophy, a familiar story and an awkward dilemma" — highlighting how the situation is repeating itself in a new context.
What Happened at Last Year's Men's Asia Cup
The previous incident set the stage for the current dilemma. India's players refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi during the presentation ceremony. The BCCI secretary confirmed that India did not want to receive the trophy from the ACC president, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"India did not want to receive the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi." — ESPNcricinfo
The situation escalated when Naqvi took the trophy away. Reports indicate the trophy has still not been handed over to the Indian team, leaving the matter unresolved.
What Could Happen at the Women's Asia Cup Final
If India reach the final of the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai, Naqvi could be on stage for the trophy presentation in his role as ACC chief. This would put the BCCI in a difficult position — the same scenario that led to controversy last year.
The Deccan Herald describes this as a "trophy conundrum" — India face a Naqvi dilemma in the Women's Asia Cup. The question is whether the same situation will play out again, or whether both sides will find a way to avoid the awkwardness.
Our Take: BCCI Must Handle This Situation Carefully
To put it plainly, this is a diplomatic problem as much as a sporting one. The BCCI cannot control who stands on the presentation stage — that is the ACC's decision. But the board also cannot force players to accept a trophy from someone they have publicly refused to engage with.
The unresolved trophy from last year makes this worse. The fact that the men's team still has not received their trophy means this is not a closed chapter. It is a lingering issue that could resurface at any moment.
In our view, the ACC should have anticipated this problem. Putting Naqvi on stage for a final that India could reach was always going to create tension. The sensible approach would be to have a neutral presenter for the trophy ceremony, or to resolve the outstanding issue from last year before this tournament reaches its climax.
For the players, this is an unfair distraction. They should be focused on winning a cricket match, not navigating political sensitivities during a trophy ceremony. The BCCI needs to have a clear plan in place — and ideally, a private conversation with the ACC — before the final arrives.
This situation also shows how sport and politics continue to overlap in the region. What should be a celebration of women's cricket could turn into another diplomatic flashpoint. That would be a loss for everyone involved.
