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The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 has finished, as the India Women’s National Cricket Team defeated the Sri Lanka Women’s National Cricket Team by 72 runs. After the match, there was controversy when Harmanpreet Kaur’s side refused to collect the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia shared comments on why he spoke with Naqvi despite a bitter relationship.
Previously, it was reported that Mohsin Naqvi would not be present in the final. However, he came for the final and was also caught watching the match with the BCCI and other officials at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. Later, he also went to the ground for the post-match presentation, and only then did the controversy arise as the India women’s team went back without receiving the trophy.
Devajit Saikia breaks silence on meeting with Mohsin Naqvi
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia broke his silence on meeting and speaking with Mohsin Naqvi during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final. While speaking with IANS, he revealed that if any person comes and greets, it is courtesy to reply to the person, and he revealed that he sat at the very place from the start, which is where the two had a discussion.
"It’s not as if we wouldn’t meet anyone," Saikia told IANS (as quoted by News18) when asked about the friendly interaction, without naming Naqvi. "I was sitting outside in the Royal Box seats right from the toss until the end of the game. Having sat there, I remained in that same place throughout the match."
"Everyone who came met me during the match; someone sat next to me, then Shukla came and sat with me. The person you mentioned (Naqvi) also came and sat alongside Deputy Chairman Khalid (Khalid Al Zarooni) sahib."
"Ambition was not to focus on who would give the trophy": Devajit Saikia speaks about trophy controversy
While speaking on giving out the trophy, Devajit Saikia mentioned that they did not discuss on the matter, as it was a simple tradition of meet and greet. He also mentioned that BCCI’s main focus was that the India Women’s National Cricket Team should win the trophy, and they achieved it by beating Sri Lanka.
"That’s just a normal tradition—whenever anyone comes, we meet and talk with everyone. We tried to solve today’s situation, but our efforts were not successful. We don’t have any regrets. Our ultimate priority and ambition was not to focus on who would give the trophy. We wanted the Indian team to win and we’ve achieved that," Devajit Saikia added.
Why did India refuse to take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi?
The incident dates back to Asia Cup 2025, when Suryakumar Yadav’s side decided not to receive the trophy from Naqvi after winning the final against Pakistan, because of the diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The decision was made, showcasing solidarity with the Indian citizens who were killed during the Pahalgam terror attack.
Customary handshakes also stopped between the two nations, and this was followed in age-group cricket as well, with U-19 and then Women’s Cricket, and also during the major ICC events. Thus, the women’s team also refused to receive the trophy from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
