Mumbai. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expects the Asia Cup winner’s trophy to reach its Mumbai headquarters within the next couple of days. However, if there is no progress, the Indian board plans to raise the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC) on November 4.
As per agency report, India won the Asia Cup by defeating arch-rival Pakistan by five wickets in the final held in Dubai. However, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of both the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The situation escalated when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart amid ongoing tensions between the two countries.
Naqvi later stated that the trophy would indeed be handed over to India but insisted on personally presenting it himself. More than a month after India’s victory, the BCCI is still awaiting the official handover of the trophy.
BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI Video that the board was “unhappy” over the prolonged delay, revealing that a formal letter had been sent to the ACC president around ten days ago, but there had been no response or change in stance. He added that although the trophy is still with the ACC, the BCCI hopes it will arrive in Mumbai within the next one or two days.
Saikia mentioned that if the situation remains unresolved, the BCCI will raise the issue during the ICC’s quarterly meeting in Dubai starting November 4. While the board has officially requested the trophy’s return, Naqvi reportedly continues to hold his position, suggesting that Indian players might collect it personally during a future event since no formal resolution has yet been reached.
Saikia assured Indian fans that the board is fully prepared to address the matter and expressed confidence that the trophy will be brought back to India, even if the timeline remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Saikia confirmed that discussions are underway regarding possible changes to session timings for the upcoming Test series between India and South Africa. Due to earlier sunrise and sunset timings in Guwahati, the venue for the second Test in December, the traditional sequence of sessions could be altered, with tea potentially being served before lunch.
