BCCI Secretary reacts to India Women’s refusal of accepting the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi

Devajit Saikia, the BCCI secretary, has backed the Indian women’s cricket team’s decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as ACC president. The move came after the team completed their Asia Cup title-winning camp, according to the report. Saikia told reporters that the players’ stance should be respected and that the board would support their choice not to engage in a gesture that could be interpreted as normalizing relations with a rival board. He reiterated that Indian cricket authorities place emphasis on the development of women’s cricket and on upholding the sport’s integrity rather than on ceremonial optics. The incident highlights the sensitivities surrounding India-Pakistan cricket relations, where trophy presentations have sometimes carried diplomatic overtones. There was no confirmation of any further penalties or actions, and the team’s decision was described as a collective call by players and team management. The Asia Cup, contested between India and Pakistan, has long been the focal point of cricketing diplomacy, and this episode reflects how political contexts can shape on-field ceremonies, even in youth and women’s programs. The team remains focused on performance and development of women’s cricket.