The ICC has stepped in to resolve the Asia Cup trophy standoff between India and Pakistan, appointing Oman Cricket Board chairman Pankaj Khimji to head a mediation committee. The move comes after India refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi following their seven-wicket victory in the final.​

Committee Formation

After the BCCI raised the issue during ICC Board meetings in Dubai, the governing body agreed to mediate the dispute. The ICC Board decided that Khimji, who enjoys cordial relations with both the BCCI and PCB and has previously mediated between the two boards, would lead a three-member committee to resolve the matter.​

Sources told Telecom Asia Sport that boards like Australia, England, and South Africa tried to appease both sides during discussions. “There was no bitterness during the talks on the sidelines of the ICC meeting, and they agreed to form a three-member committee to solve the trophy issues,” sources said.​

What Caused the Standoff

India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup final on September 28 in Dubai, but captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi during the presentation ceremony. The Indian team objected to receiving the trophy from Naqvi due to his role as Pakistan’s Interior Minister.​

After Suryakumar’s refusal, he mocked holding the trophy and took it to his waiting teammates, who celebrated as if they had the silverware. The actual trophy was removed from the presentation area and remains locked at the ACC headquarters in Dubai under Naqvi’s instructions.​

BCCI’s Position

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who represented India at the ICC meeting, made clear that the trophy rightfully belongs to the Indian team and should be handed over without delay. The BCCI had written to Naqvi about ten days before the ICC meeting requesting the trophy be handed over, but received no response.​

Naqvi later offered to present the trophy at a separate ceremony in Dubai on November 10, which the BCCI rejected. Instead, they took the matter to the ICC.​

Cordial Talks

Despite the tensions, BCCI secretary Saikia confirmed that discussions with Naqvi on the sidelines of the ICC meeting went well. “We had a cordial discussion on the issue. Both sides understood that this has to be sorted out. Both sides are positive to sort it out at the earliest possible time,” Saikia told PTI.​

However, Saikia denied reports about an ICC committee being formed, stating that only a senior ICC official is involved in the negotiation process. “Although one of the senior persons from ICC is involved in the process of negotiation, there is no requirement for any such thing (a committee) at this stage. The issue will be resolved before any such drastic step is taken by the ICC,” he said.​

According to PTI, ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja and CEO Sanjog Gupta initiated discussions between the BCCI and PCB.​

Naqvi’s Stance

Mohsin Naqvi, who attended the ICC meeting on Friday, remained adamant that only he could hand over the trophy as ACC President. His visit to Dubai was confirmed early Friday after an important Senate meeting in Pakistan was deferred.​

Sources said Naqvi was assured the meeting would be held in a cordial manner, which was the main reason he attended. He reportedly instructed ACC staff not to let the trophy out of their sight, keeping it locked in the ACC office.​

Broader Context

The Asia Cup trophy dispute is just the latest flashpoint in India-Pakistan cricket relations. The teams clashed three times during the tournament, with India winning all three encounters. Tensions ran high throughout, starting with the Indian camp refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players as a gesture of solidarity with Pahalgam terror attack victims.​

Players from both sides engaged in confrontations during matches. Sahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf from Pakistan mocked the Indian camp through offensive gestures. Suryakumar Yadav was fined 30% of his match fees for “bringing the game into disrepute” for comments made after a group stage match.​

Path Forward

Saikia expressed optimism that the issue will be resolved soon. “Definitely, in the coming times, if things go in a positive way, the issue will be sorted at the earliest,” he said. Both sides are exploring various options to break the stalemate.​​

Several ICC directors expressed concern that withholding a trophy from champions reflects poorly on cricket’s governance and urged an early resolution. The ICC stressed that both India and Pakistan are important members of the cricket world and must address their issues for the sport’s sake.​

With Khimji’s involvement and ongoing dialogue between the boards, there’s hope the trophy will finally reach Team India. However, the dispute highlights the deep political tensions that continue to overshadow cricket relations between the neighboring nations.