The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has defended the interaction between its senior officials and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final, after BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia and Vice-President Rajeev Shukla were seen speaking with Naqvi at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The interaction attracted attention because the BCCI had separately decided that India would not participate in a trophy presentation involving Naqvi, who was attending the final in his capacity as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President. Saikia has now drawn a distinction between officials meeting at the venue and the board’s position surrounding the presentation ceremony.
Saikia describes Naqvi interaction as normal protocol
Saikia and Shukla were seated in the Royal Box during India’s 72-run victory over Sri Lanka, with Naqvi also present alongside other officials. Saikia rejected the suggestion that speaking with the PCB Chairman conflicted with the BCCI’s position.
Saikia told IANS: “It’s not as if we wouldn’t meet anyone. I was sitting outside in the Royal Box seats right from the toss until the end of the game. Having sat there, I remained in that same place throughout the match. Everyone who came met me during the match; someone sat next to me, then Rajeev Shukla came and sat with me. The person you mentioned (Naqvi) also came and sat alongside deputy chairman Khalid Sahib. That’s just a normal tradition-whenever anyone comes, we meet and talk with everyone.”
The officials’ interaction took place against the backdrop of an unresolved question over how the trophy would be presented if India won the final. The BCCI maintained its position on the presentation while discussions at the venue sought a way through the issue.
BCCI officials attempted to resolve presentation situation
As previously reported by cricexec, India ultimately remained away from the official presentation after defeating Sri Lanka, and the ceremony concluded without Harmanpreet Kaur’s team receiving the trophy or winners’ medals. Alternative arrangements involving another official had been considered, but no agreement was reached.
Saikia added: “We tried to solve today’s situation, but our efforts were not successful. We don’t have any regrets. Our ultimate priority and ambition was not to focus on who would give the trophy. We wanted the Indian team to win and we’ve achieved that.”
India’s position had not been formulated in response to events after the final. The BCCI had already communicated its decision to the ACC before the presentation became an immediate issue at the ground.
Trophy stance had been communicated in advance
The distinction between the interaction in the Royal Box and the later presentation standoff is central to the BCCI’s response. Its officials continued to engage with their counterparts at the venue while maintaining the institutional position established for the trophy ceremony.
Saikia told senior journalist Boria Majumdar: “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.”
India went on to secure a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title with its 72-run victory over Sri Lanka. The tournament therefore ended with BCCI officials having interacted with Naqvi during the final while the board maintained its separate, pre-communicated position on the trophy presentation.
