India win record eighth Women’s Asia Cup title, skip trophy presentation with Naqvi

India clinched a record-extending eighth Women’s Asia Cup title with a 72-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final in Dubai on Sunday, but the post-match celebrations were overshadowed by the team’s decision to skip the trophy presentation.

After opting to bat, India were propelled by a 129-run opening partnership between Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. Shafali scored 68 off 36 balls, while Mandhana made 59 off 35 as India posted 183 for five.

Shafali reached her half-century from just 24 balls, making it the fastest fifty in Women’s Asia Cup history. Mandhana also registered her 36th T20I fifty.

Sri Lanka's chase briefly threatened to gather momentum as captain Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne put on 58 for the second wicket. Deepti Sharma then dismissed both batters in the 10th over, leaving Sri Lanka at 63 for three.

Left-arm spinner Sree Charani finished with 4/20 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 in 20 overs. Athapaththu top-scored with 36.

Despite their dominant campaign, India’s fielding remained an area of concern, with 13 catches dropped across their five matches. Head coach Amol Muzumdar acknowledged there was room for improvement but said the team had worked extensively on the aspect.

The trophy presentation, however, became the biggest talking point after the final.

India’s players did not return to the field for the ceremony and did not accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, repeating the situation from last year’s men’s tournament.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia instead presented Nandini Sharma with an in-house best fielder medal. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, received their runners-up cheque from Naqvi, while their players and support staff accepted medals from Sri Lanka Cricket interim chief Eran Wikramaratne.

Naqvi left the stadium after presenting the award to Athapaththu without carrying the trophy. The Asia Cup trophy remains with the ACC. India’s men’s team had also declined to receive it from Naqvi last year.