Conscious, institutional decision in prevailing circumstances: Saikia on Asia Cup trophy row

New Delhi: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia on Monday said the women's cricket team's refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) Pakistani chief Mohsin Naqvi was a "conscious, institutional" call taken by the Board keeping circumstances and sentiments in view.

The Indian women's team defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final on Sunday in Dubai but did not accept the trophy from Naqvi, continuing a trend started by the men's team during the 2025 Asia Cup following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

"We had taken a conscious decision considering all prevailing aspects, and our position had been communicated to the ACC in advance, that the Indian team would not participate in the trophy presentation under the circumstances," Saikia told PTI.


"Given the circumstances and the sentiments prevailing in the country, the BCCI felt that it would not be appropriate for the team to receive the trophy in the proposed manner.

"This was a firm institutional decision, reflective of the position we have maintained, and was not directed at the players, the tournament or the sport," he added.

Following the terror attack in April last year, the two countries were also engaged in a brief military showdown in May.