The refusal reflects severe geopolitical tensions that escalated after the April 2025 terror attack in Pehelgam and the subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor. Bilateral diplomatic relations have broken down significantly since those events. While both nations continue to fulfill commitments in multi-nation tournaments governed by international sports policy, customary post-match handshakes have been discontinued, and symbolic gestures of opposition remain firm.

Saikia explained that public sentiment against sporting ties with Pakistan has grown immensely since April 2025. He stated that government mandates require national teams to participate in multi-nation tournaments, a policy the BCCI strictly follows by dispatching squads to face all competing countries. However, he emphasized that fulfilling tournament obligations does not obligate the board or its players to accept every presentation condition. Referring to Naqvi, Saikia noted that receiving a trophy from a prominent foreign official acting against India’s national interests was unacceptable, mirroring the stance taken by the Indian men’s team eighteen months prior when they similarly refused to receive their Asia Cup trophy from him.

During the final, the Indian team expressed willingness to receive the silverware from ACC Vice-President Khalid Al Zarooni, though Naqvi remained at the presentation platform. Commenting on interactions inside the Royal Box during the match—where Naqvi sat beside Al Zarooni near Saikia and BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla—Saikia dismissed attempts to read diplomatic meaning into the arrangement, describing it as standard event courtesy.

Unbothered by the presentation stalemate, the BCCI expressed full satisfaction with the team’s performance. Focus now shifts to the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, where the women’s T20 event commences on 17 September, with India set to face hosts Japan in the quarter-finals the following day.