The presentation ceremony for the Women’s Asia Cup cricket final in Dubai became controversial after winners India refused to accept the trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, amid ongoing political tensions between the South Asian neighbours.
India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday to reclaim the crown from the 2024 champions, but the post-match ceremony was delayed by more than 45 minutes as players from both sides waited outside their respective dressing rooms. Aljazeera reported.
The match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium ended close to 9:50pm (17:50 GMT), but the ceremony did not get under way until 10:40pm (18:40 GMT).
Once the temporary stage for the handing over of awards was set up, Naqvi was seen standing alongside other dignitaries as the ceremony began. Match officials were the first to be presented with their medallions before the Sri Lankan players stepped up for their medals.
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu received the runners-up award from Naqvi and then proceeded to speak about her team’s performance.
However, no individual awards, including Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament, were handed out, and neither was the Indian team called up to receive their medals or the trophy.
India won the tournament for a record-extending eighth time.
The tournament’s official social media accounts did not post any trophy celebration images.
The Indian Women’s cricket team’s social media account posted a group photo of the team and coaching staff in what appeared to be an empty stadium shortly after the conclusion of the award ceremony.
