India women's team refuse Asia Cup cricket trophy from Pakistan minister

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Once again, political acrimony between India and Pakistan spilled out onto the cricket field as India's women's team refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be Pakistan's interior minister.

The incident is a stark replay of the Asia Cup controversy from last year, when India's men's team also skipped the prize ceremony with Naqvi after defeating archrival Pakistan in the Asia Cup finals.

On Sunday, India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai, winning a record-extending eight continental titles.

However, the team did not attend the trophy presentation with Naqvi, also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

The ceremony was delayed by nearly an hour before ending abruptly after Naqvi presented the runners-up medals to the Sri Lankan team.

Indian officials instead conducted their own medal presentation for the champions.

"That stand has been taken by BCCI (India's cricket board) and we stand by it," India coach Amol Muzumdar told reporters. "For us, this tournament is over, we are the champions. That's good enough."

India and Pakistan, who last year engaged in a military conflict that threatened to turn into a full-blown war, avoid bilateral cricket series and only meet in international tournaments.

On Sunday, India dominated the final after scoring 183-5, with Smriti Mandhana scoring 59 and Shafali Verma 68. Spinner Shree Charani then took 4-20 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111.

This is Shakeel from DW's New Delhi studio, bringing you the top headlines from across India.

Stop me if you've heard this before — an Indian cricket team wins a cup and refuses to accept it from the Asian Cricket Council's chief, Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be Pakistan's interior minister.

This happened with India's women's cricket team after they won the Asia Cup on Sunday.

The exact same scenario played out last year following India's victory over Pakistan in the men's Asia Cup final, when the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, according to a statement by India's Ministry of Defense, China significantly reduced its troop presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India last year, as Beijing and New Delhi continue their diplomatic engagement.

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