Asia Cup trophy row sees first sign of resolution
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has indicated that relations with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have begun to ease following a face-to-face conversation regarding the Asia Cup trophy handover dispute. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed on Tuesday that an informal conversation took place with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on the sidelines of an ICC meeting, marking the first direct communication on the issue since the controversy broke out.
The controversy began after India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final. The Indian team did not receive the winner’s trophy from the PCB chief, leading to the trophy remaining at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai. The move sparked speculation of escalating tensions between the cricket boards.
Saikia said that, despite recent strain, dialogue has now begun. “We had a discussion with Mohsin Naqvi. The ice has been broken. Both boards will try to find a solution soon,” he told reporters. He added that while no formal decisions were taken, the meeting helped initiate a softer atmosphere for negotiations.
How the trophy got stuck in Dubai
After the final, the ACC retained the trophy based on instructions from Naqvi, who reportedly insisted it should not be transported without his approval. The situation, widely viewed as symbolic of deeper administrative disagreements, became the centre of debate across cricket circles in both countries.
BCCI officials had refrained from issuing strong public remarks, but insiders had acknowledged dissatisfaction over how the situation unfolded. The trophy’s location became a flashpoint, raising questions over protocol and authority in continental cricket governance.
More talks expected
The informal interaction in Dubai is expected to be followed by a structured discussion involving senior board members. Saikia stressed that both boards recognise the need to avoid prolonging the issue unnecessarily.
“Such things are best solved through conversation,” Saikia said. “Now that the communication has begun, we expect it to be resolved sooner than later.”
However, sources suggest the resolution may still depend on whether both sides are willing to adopt a neutral stance instead of treating the trophy as a matter of symbolic dominance.
Sporting diplomacy in focus
With India-Pakistan bilateral cricket suspended for over a decade, administrative interactions at ICC and ACC meetings often become the only platform for cricket diplomacy. Even small symbolic disputes carry the potential to influence larger cricket scheduling and cooperation.
For now, the start of dialogue marks a positive step, even if the final resolution may take more rounds of negotiation.