BCCI raises Asia Cup issue at ICC meet

The 'will he or won't he' puzzle was finally resolved as Mohsin Naqvi arrived at the ICC headquarters in Dubai on Friday (November 7) afternoon. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman had been a doubtful attendee at the ICC meetings, given his recent record but he finally showed up for the meeting in Dubai.

Cricbuzz learns that it was more an atmosphere of cordiality rather than serious acrimony among the members of the ICC Board as the Asia Cup issue was raised. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pointed out that Naqvi, in the capacity of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman, was holding on to the trophy, which rightfully belonged to India, the Indian team and the BCCI.

Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, was the Indian representative at the ICC Board. He is understood to have pointed out that the trophy should be handed over to India immediately. The discussion, it was learnt, was more informal in nature. In fact, the matter was discussed when the board members were having informal confabulations.

If required, a panel may also be formed to address the issue but as of Friday night, there was no confirmation of one being formed. The BCCI's stand has been that the trophy should be handed over to India soon. It is a well-known fact that the silverware remains locked up in the ACC office in Dubai, with orders from Naqvi that it should not be moved without his authorization.

There is no doubt that Naqvi, who is also a minister in the Pakistan government, faced heat from the global cricket administrators for not handing over the silverware to India, who beat Pakistan in the Asia Cup final in Dubai on September 28.

Saikia or other BCCI officials could not be immediately reached, but it is learnt that there was a sense of unanimity among the Board members that the issue should be resolved at the earliest.