In a rare moment of cooperation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have taken their first step toward resolving the Asia Cup trophy dispute, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed on Saturday.
The development came after a meeting with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the sidelines of an ICC board gathering in Dubai.
The controversy began after India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the T20 Asia Cup final on September 28, but refused to accept the trophy directly from Naqvi, who also serves as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairperson. The trophy has since been held back at the ACC headquarters in Dubai.
ICC facilitates breakthrough meeting
Saikia revealed that the meeting between him and Naqvi, though not part of the official ICC agenda, was facilitated by senior ICC officials.
“I was a part of both the informal and formal ICC meetings. PCB Chairperson Mohsin Naqvi was also present. During the course of a formal meeting, it was not on the agenda, but the ICC facilitated a separate discussion between myself and the PCB chief in the presence of a senior ICC office-bearer and another senior official,” Saikia told PTI.
The talks were described as cordial and productive. “It was really good to start the process of negotiation. Both sides participated in good faith, and the ice has been broken now,” Saikia said.
According to sources, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja and CEO Sanjog Gupta played a key role in arranging the meeting. Saikia added that both boards would now work out various options to reach an amicable solution.
Trophy remains at ACC headquarters
The Asia Cup trophy remains locked at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, where staff have been instructed not to move it without Naqvi’s authorization. Reports suggest that Naqvi has insisted on personally handing over the trophy to India — a stance that contributed to the deadlock between the two boards.
“The issue will be settled at the earliest. Both sides will put forward proposals on how to resolve it,” Saikia said, adding that the BCCI and PCB are now committed to finding common ground.
No ICC dispute committee formed
Addressing media speculation, Saikia clarified that the ICC has not formed any dispute resolution committee. “Although one of the senior ICC members is involved in facilitating talks, there is no need for any formal committee at this stage. We expect the matter to be resolved before any such drastic step is taken,” he stated.
The meeting marks the first official communication between the two boards since the controversy erupted, signaling a thaw in what had become an unusually bitter episode in India-Pakistan cricket relations.
The Asia Cup 2025 final was overshadowed by off-field tensions between the cricketing rivals. Indian players had refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts during and after matches. Several players were also fined for on-field gestures, reflecting the intense hostility that gripped the tournament.
