Naqvi Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Presence

It could be that the Asia Cup trophy controversy, which made headlines days ago at the Women's Asia Cup final on 13 September in Dubai, might just find a new stage at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

After beating Sri Lanka in the Women's Asia Cup final, the Indian women's cricket team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi. This move came amidst a hostile relationship between the two countries after the military conflict following Operation Sindoor last year.

It was a repeat of what had happened last year at the Men's Asia Cup, where the Indian team, then led by Suryakumar Yadav, did not take their trophy from Naqvi after defeating Pakistan in the final. It is also important to remember here that the players and staff from both teams do not interact or shake hands in cricket matches, which only take place in multi-team competitions.

Will Mohsin Naqvi attend the Asian Games in Japan?

The big question: will Naqvi attend the Asian Games in Japan? In his capacity as the ACC president, Naqvi might be invited to attend the competition. But according to Cricbuzz, the ACC chief, who is also Pakistan's interior minister and chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), might not be called on to the stage to present the medals.

India did not receive the Women's Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi (Credits: X)

However, the above-mentioned publication also quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source who said that Naqvi might not even end up visiting Japan at all. In any case, Naqvi is known to make decisions at the last minute. He landed in Dubai just about 30 minutes before the Women’s Asia Cup final was due to end last Sunday.

Nonetheless, there remains suspense over Naqvi's presence at the Asian Games. The decision to select the dignitaries for the medal ceremony rests with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), along with the Asian Games 2026 and Asian Para Games Organising Committee. And Japan might safeguard India's interests here.

Why Japan might not allow repeat of Asia Cup trophy controversy

Why Japan, one might ask? It is because right before India kick-starts the Asian Games campaign on 28 September, the Shreyas Iyer-led team will be in action against the Japan men's cricket team in an exhibition T20I match.

The match is an important one as it has been organised not just by the two cricket boards- the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) but also put in place by the respective governments of the countries. The match, set to be played at the Sano International Cricket Ground on 22 September, is important as it's part of the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic ties between India and Japan.

"The match will be the first step of “Sport 75”, an initiative that stems from an agreement reached during a summit between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and aims to promote human exchanges and cooperation between India and Japan in the field of sports, taking note of India’s ambition to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036," a BCCI statement read.

Playing against India, the reigning T20 World Cup winners, will also be a massive learning curve for Japan, who are ranked 41st in T20Is. And Japan might keep India's interests in mind when it comes to potentially inviting Naqvi to the medal presentation.

"I think Japan will not allow it. India’s gesture of playing Japan will not go unacknowledged," Cricbuzz quoted a member of the Asian Cricket Council as saying.

BCCI confident of securing both Asia Cup trophies

The BCCI earlier expressed confidence in getting back both the men's and women's Asia Cup trophies in the future. Secretary Devajit Saikia said, “I will not give you a timeline, but I can assure you that both the trophies will come up and land in this BCCI head office at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.”

Indian women's team in semi-final action on Sunday

At the time of publication of this article, the Indian women's cricket team is set to lock horns with Bangladesh in the semi-finals. A win will not only secure a spot in the final but also guarantee at least a silver medal.

The men's team will be in action on 28 September in the quarter-final stage. The women's cricket final is slated to be held on 22 September, while the men's summit clash is set for 3 October. Saikia would head to Japan on 1 October and attend the men's final two days later.

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