The cricketing world witnessed a dramatic and unprecedented scene in Dubai as the Indian Women's Cricket Team secured a monumental victory in the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026. While the triumph on the field was clinical, the events that unfolded during the post-match presentation ceremony have become the center of a massive controversy. The Indian team, after a dominant performance against Sri Lanka, made a bold statement by refusing to accept the championship trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
A Dominant Victory on the Field
On 13 September 2026, the final of the Women's T20 Asia Cup saw a high-stakes encounter between India and Sri Lanka. The Indian side displayed exceptional skill and coordination, eventually defeating the Sri Lankan team by a significant margin of 72 runs. This victory cemented India's position as a powerhouse in Asian women's cricket. However, the celebration of this sporting achievement was soon overshadowed by a tense standoff at the presentation podium. The margin of 72 runs reflected the absolute control the Indian women had over the game, but the real drama was reserved for the post-match formalities.
The Presentation Ceremony Standoff
Following the conclusion of the match, the stage was set for the trophy presentation. Mohsin Naqvi, in his dual capacity as the PCB Chairman and the ACC Chief, was present on the stage to hand over the silverware to the winning captain. However, a situation of extreme awkwardness arose when the Indian team showed no inclination to receive the trophy from him. Reports indicate that Mohsin Naqvi waited on the stage for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, expecting the Indian team to join him for the ceremony. Despite the long wait, the Indian women's team reached a firm decision that they wouldn't accept the trophy from his hands.
Mohsin Naqvi Leaves the Stadium
The public refusal by the Indian team led to a visible state of embarrassment for the top official. After realizing that the Indian team wouldn't be coming to the stage as long as he was presiding over the ceremony, Mohsin Naqvi was seen leaving the stadium in a hurry. Witnesses described him walking with fast paces towards the exit, effectively retreating from the scene of the snub. The sight of the ACC Chief leaving the venue under such circumstances quickly became a viral sensation on social media platforms.
Chants of Trophy Chor Echo in Dubai
As Mohsin Naqvi made his exit from the stadium, the situation took a more heated turn. Fans present in the stands began chanting trophy chor (trophy thief) as they saw him walking away, while these chants were captured in various videos that have since gone viral, highlighting the intense atmosphere and the fans' reaction to the unfolding drama. The vocal disapproval from the crowd added another layer of humiliation to the already tense situation for the PCB Chairman.
A Repeat of History from 350 Days Ago
This incident in Dubai wasn't an isolated event but rather a repetition of a story that had unfolded nearly a year prior. Exactly 350 days before this incident, on 28 September 2026, a similar situation had occurred involving Mohsin Naqvi. The source notes that the same level of disrespect and humiliation was faced by him back then, while in 2025, the Indian Men's Cricket Team had also refused to take the Asia Cup title from Mohsin Naqvi. The parallel between the two events is striking, with the only difference being that the Indian Men's team has now been replaced by the Indian Women's team in this ongoing saga of cricketing diplomacy and public snubs, while the 350 day gap between 28 September 2026 and 13 September 2026 marks a recurring theme of tension between the Indian cricketing units and the PCB leadership.