India Women won their eighth ACC Women’s Asia Cup title in Dubai on Sunday but followed in the footsteps of their men’s team by refusing to collect the silverware from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.

Exactly 12 months ago, India men had defeated Pakistan in the final before declining to collect the trophy from the ACC supremo, leaving the organisers and event hosts red-faced. Earlier in that tournament, they had also caused widespread surprise by refusing to shake hands with Pakistan’s cricketers, a move that went against the traditional spirit and fundamentals of sport.

Then India captain Suryakumar Yadav later admitted that his team had aligned with the BCCI over the decisions surrounding handshakes and trophy presentation. The men’s ACC T20 Asia Cup trophy remains with the ACC, and the same fate now appears likely for the women’s trophy.

Since then, India’s cricketers have not exchanged handshakes with Pakistan players before or after matches in ACC and ICC events. The two countries do not play bilateral cricket.

After India had clinically defeated defending champions Sri Lanka by 72 runs, television pictures showed ACC President Mohsin Naqvi congratulating BCCI Vice-President Rajiv Shukla and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia — a gesture befitting a sports administrator.

Last month, images of Naqvi and Rajiv Shukla engaging in cordial conversation at the ACC General Council meeting in Bangkok also made headlines in both countries. It appeared the ice was slowly melting on the cricket front, only for the latest trophy snub to underline that there has been no change in the India cricket administration’s position, which is guided by its government.

Unlike last year, the presentation ceremony went ahead, with match officials and the Sri Lanka team receiving their medallions and captain Chamari Athapaththu collecting a $15,000 cheque from ACC President Mohsin Naqvi. But when it came to India, the Player of the Match, Player of the Series and trophy presentations were conspicuously absent.

India elected to bat first and posted an impressive 183 for five before dismissing defending champions Sri Lanka for 111 in 20 overs to complete a convincing 72-run victory.

A 127-run opening partnership in 77 balls between Shafali Verma (68, 39b, 9×4, 2×6) and Smriti Mandhana (59, 39b, 5×4, 3×6) set the tone for India. Although they did not fully capitalise on the platform, scoring 56 runs from the remaining 43 balls to finish on 183 for five, it was a total India were expected to defend with their formidable bowling attack.

Twenty-two-year-old Shree Charani justified that confidence by claiming four for 20, while off-spinner Deepti Sharma took three for 19 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111 off the final ball of their allotted 20 overs.

Scores in brief:

India Women beat Sri Lanka Women by 72 runs

India Women 183-5, 20 overs (Shafali Verma 68, Smriti Mandhana 59, Richa Ghosh 17)

Sri Lanka Women 111 all-out, 20 overs (Chamari Athapaththu 36, Nilakshika Silva 22, Vishmi Gunaratne 20; Shree Charani 4-20, Deepti Sharma 3-19)

Match 1 (Group A) — Thailand beat Hong Kong by six runs
Match 2 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat UAE by nine wickets
Match 3 (Group A) — India beat Thailand by 94 runs
Match 4 (Group B) — Bangladesh beat Indonesia by 71 runs
Match 5 (Group A) — Pakistan beat Thailand by 35 runs
Match 6 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat Indonesia by 75 runs
Match 7 (Group A) — India beat Hong Kong by 137 runs
Match 8 (Group B) — UAE beat Indonesia by six wickets
Match 9 (Group A) — India beat Pakistan by seven wickets
Match 10 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by four wickets
Match 11 (Group A) — Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 72 runs
Match 12 (Group B) – Bangladesh beat UAE by 34 runs
Match 13 (1st semi-final) – India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs
Match 14 (2nd semi-final) – Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by four wickets