The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) plans to escalate the Asia Cup trophy handover dispute to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after talks with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) failed to resolve the matter.
The controversy began when Indian players refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy directly from Pakistan’s interior minister and PCB chief, Mohsin Naqvi, following their final win over Pakistan. The trophy remains at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, even weeks after the conclusion of the tournament.
Naqvi suggested that the BCCI could collect the trophy from Dubai if a representative and a player agreed to do so, even inviting India to hold a presentation ceremony on home soil. However, the BCCI rejected his explanation and remains firm that the trophy must be formally handed over through proper protocol.
At the recent ACC Annual General Meeting, Indian representatives Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar strongly disapproved of Naqvi’s conduct and demanded that the trophy be awarded to India without further delay. Sri Lanka and Afghanistan supported India’s position during the discussions.
The matter will now move to the ICC Board’s December meeting in Dubai, where the BCCI intends to raise the issue formally if Naqvi fails to respond. Despite Naqvi’s letter congratulating India on their victory, the BCCI views the gesture as insufficient until the trophy is officially presented.
--Agencies
