'Trophy Chor' Echoes in Dubai As Fans Target Mohsin Naqvi After India Win Women's Asia Cup 2026

Dubai witnessed a dramatic conclusion to the Women's Asia Cup 2026 when the victorious Indian women's cricket team opted not to receive their coveted trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The incident at the Dubai International Stadium, which saw India clinch their record-extending eighth Women's Asia Cup title with a resounding 72-run win over Sri Lanka, has once again underscored the deep-seated political tensions between the two cricketing powerhouses. India Reportedly Refuse Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Trophy From ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

This controversial decision by Harmanpreet Kaur's side closely follows a similar move by the Indian men's team in September 2025, when they too refused the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after defeating Pakistan in the final at the same venue.

The repeated refusal to engage in the traditional trophy ceremony highlights the ongoing turbulent military and political climate between India and Pakistan. Spectators present at the venue were heard chanting 'Trophy Chor' (Trophy Thief) aimed at Mohsin Naqvi, reflecting widespread public sentiment regarding the politicization of cricket. This sentiment, where cricket becomes a proxy for broader geopolitical issues, continues to overshadow on-field achievements and sportsmanship.

Watch: Fans Chant 'Trophy Chor'

Fans chanted “Trophy Chor, Trophy Chor” when they saw Mohsin Naqvi leaving the stadium.😭🙏 pic.twitter.com/XljKlQLVHB

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) September 13, 2026

A Repeat of 2025's Standoff

The echoes of the previous year's men's tournament were undeniable. On September 14, 2025, India's men's team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, had beaten Pakistan by five wickets in the T20 Asia Cup final, but the post-match ceremony was marred by their refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had then stated their position that they would not accept silverware from a senior political leader of Pakistan.

Sources from the ACC indicated that the trophy presentation protocol for the women's final had been agreed upon, and the trophy was available. However, the Indian team collectively decided not to receive it from Naqvi. The ceremony was reportedly delayed by over 45 minutes as players awaited a resolution. Mohsin Naqvi was elected as the 37th Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board in February 2024 for a three-year term and assumed the presidency of the ACC in April 2025.

India's Dominant Performance

Despite the off-field drama, India's performance in the final was exceptional. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India posted a formidable total of 183 for 5 in their 20 overs. Openers Shafali Verma (68 runs off 39 balls) and Smriti Mandhana (59 runs off 39 balls) laid a strong foundation with a record 129-run opening partnership. Verma's 24-ball fifty was the fastest in Women's T20 Asia Cup history.

Sri Lanka, in response, struggled against India's spin attack and were eventually bowled out for 111 in their 20 overs. Spinners Shree Charani, with figures of 4 for 20, and Deepti Sharma, who claimed 3 for 19, were instrumental in dismantling the Sri Lankan batting lineup. This victory marked India's tenth consecutive final appearance in the tournament.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of how deeply politics can intertwine with sport, particularly in the context of India-Pakistan relations, raising questions about the future of sporting interactions between the two nations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 14, 2026 09:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).