Asia Cup Trophy dispute: The cricket boards of India and Pakistan have taken a significant step toward resolving the Asia Cup trophy dispute, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said on Saturday. The development comes after Saikia met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the sidelines of an ICC gathering in Dubai, with both sides reportedly showing willingness to find a mutually acceptable solution.
The dispute originated when the Asia Cup Trophy was not presented to India by Naqvi, who is also the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairperson. The Indian team had reportedly refused to accept the trophy from him due to his perceived anti-India stance, following India’s victory over Pakistan in the T20 final held in Dubai on September 28.
ICC Facilitates Initial Dialogue Between Boards
“I was a part of both the informal and formal meeting of the ICC. PCB chairperson Mohsin Naqvi was also present. During the course of a formal meeting, it was not on agenda but ICC facilitated a meeting between myself and the PCB chief separately in the presence of a senior ICC office-bearer and another senior official,” Saikia told PTI.
“It was really good to start the process of negotiation. Both sides cordially participated in the meeting which took place on the sidelines of the ICC board meet,” he added, assuring that a solution will be worked out soon. While he did not reveal the ICC officials involved, it is understood that deputy chairman Imran Khawaja and CEO Sanjog Gupta initiated the discussions.
Trophy to Be Resolved Without Committee, Says Saikia
The Asia Cup Trophy has remained at ACC headquarters in Dubai, with staff instructed by Naqvi not to move it without his permission. Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, has insisted that the Indians must accept the trophy directly from him.
“Both sides will work out something to solve the issue at the earliest. The ice has been broken now, so various options will be worked out. There will be options from the other side as well and we will also give options on how to settle this issue and come to an amicable solution,” Saikia explained.
While speculation had emerged that ICC might form a dispute resolution committee, Saikia dismissed this possibility. “Although one of the senior persons from ICC is involved in the process of negotiation, there is no requirement of any such thing (a committee) at this stage. The issue will be resolved before any such drastic step is taken by the ICC,” he said.
Tensions during the Asia Cup had run high, with the two teams clashing thrice and maintaining a no-handshake policy throughout as a gesture of solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. Several players faced penalties for offensive gestures that were deemed to have “brought the game into disrepute.”
