India Women’s campaign in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup could end with a major title, but a familiar question may emerge if they lift the trophy: who will present it to them?
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi is expected to attend the tournament’s final in Dubai on September 13 and could be involved in the trophy presentation if India emerge as champions. According to a report by Geo Super, Naqvi is set to be the chief guest for the closing ceremony.
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His potential presence could bring renewed attention to the presentation ceremony, particularly because of what happened during last year’s men’s Asia Cup final.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in Dubai in the 2025 final to retain the continental title. However, the post-match ceremony became controversial after the Indian team did not receive the trophy from Naqvi.
Naqvi holds multiple prominent positions in Pakistan cricket and politics. Apart from serving as ACC president, he is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistan’s interior minister.
The issue surrounding the trophy presentation became one of the major talking points after India’s victory last year. With Naqvi now expected to attend the women’s final, attention could once again shift from the cricket to what happens when the champions are presented with the trophy.
India, meanwhile, have made an impressive start to their campaign. The team entered the knockout stage unbeaten after registering dominant victories over Thailand, Hong Kong and Pakistan.
The performances have strengthened India’s position as one of the leading contenders for the title. Their results in the group stage have also put them in a strong position ahead of the semi-finals, with the team looking to carry its momentum into the latter stages of the tournament.
For India, the priority will remain firmly on winning the competition rather than the events surrounding the closing ceremony. However, if the team reaches the final and goes on to claim the title, the trophy presentation could attract considerable attention.
The situation also carries an additional layer because the final is scheduled to take place in Dubai, the same venue where the controversial men’s Asia Cup presentation occurred last year.
Naqvi’s expected attendance does not necessarily mean that he will personally hand the trophy to India’s captain. The final presentation arrangements will depend on the ACC and tournament officials. But his reported role as chief guest means the possibility is likely to remain a subject of discussion in the build-up to the final.
India Women will therefore have two clear objectives as the tournament progresses: complete an unbeaten campaign by winning the Asia Cup and ensure that their performances, rather than any off-field controversy, remain the focus.
If India do lift the trophy on September 13, the presentation ceremony could provide a significant post-match moment — especially given the events that followed their men’s title triumph in Dubai a year earlier.
