BCCI and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi agree to end explosive Asia Cup trophy dispute, says Saikia

Synopsis

A significant breakthrough has been achieved in the long-standing Asia Cup trophy dispute between India and Pakistan. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi have agreed to an amicable resolution. Discussions held on the sidelines of an ICC meeting have paved the way for finding a mutually acceptable solution.

The long-running standoff over the Asia Cup trophy appears to be inching toward resolution after the cricket boards of India and Pakistan reopened dialogue in Dubai. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the two sides had managed to “break the ice” on the issue and would work together to find a “plausible solution” in the coming days.

Saikia met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the sidelines of an ICC meeting in Dubai, marking the first direct conversation between the two boards since the controversy erupted in late September.

“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 on Saturday.

“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 would be worked out soon.

The dispute dates back to September 28, when India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup T20 final in Dubai. The trophy, however, was not presented to the winning side after reports claimed Indian players had refused to accept it from Naqvi, citing his anti-India stance and his position as a member of Pakistan’s Senate.

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Following the incident, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made several requests for the trophy to be handed over. However, Naqvi reportedly insisted that he would personally present it to the Indian team. According to Pakistani media, he later proposed hosting a handover ceremony in Dubai on November 5. The BCCI, however, turned down the offer and decided to raise the matter formally during the upcoming ICC meeting.

A PCB insider defended Naqvi’s stance, saying, “He acted within his rights as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president, under whose authority the Asia Cup was organised. He has also taken legal advice to strengthen his case before the ICC.”

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