Sports
Naqvi's Planned Presence at Women's Asia Cup Final Revives India Trophy Concerns
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi is reportedly scheduled to attend the Women's T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai on September 13, according to a report by Geo Super. Naqvi is expected to serve as chief guest at the closing ceremony and present the trophy to the winning team.
The development has raised questions about a possible repeat of last year's controversy, should India reach the final. In the 2025 men's Asia Cup final, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets but did not receive the winners' trophy from Naqvi, who held the same ACC presidency at the time. The presentation ceremony ended without India being awarded the trophy amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions during that tournament, and Naqvi's dual role as ACC president and PCB chairman became a point of contention. The trophy has reportedly remained at the ACC headquarters in Dubai since then, despite attempts by the BCCI to resolve the matter.
With Naqvi again set to present the trophy at the women's final, similar concerns have emerged should Harmanpreet Kaur's India team emerge victorious.
India have already secured their place in the semifinals of the Women's Asia Cup after defeating Pakistan by seven wickets in a Group A match on September 5. Pakistan were bowled out for just 55 runs, their lowest total in women's T20I history, with India completing the chase in 8.4 overs. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat each took three wickets for India in the match.
India topped Group A with six points and a net run rate of 5.471. Sri Lanka also advanced to the semifinals following a four-wicket win over Bangladesh on September 6. Pakistan, however, still have a chance to qualify, with a game in hand against Hong Kong on September 7, keeping alive the possibility of another India-Pakistan final.
The report notes that any repeat of last year's trophy dispute could overshadow the achievements of the players, regardless of tournament outcome. India's immediate focus, however, remains on securing a place in the final.