Cricket Stalemate: Asia Cup Trophy Row Forces ICC Intervention

The long-running dispute between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi—who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)—has reached a critical juncture at the International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings in Dubai. Reports indicate that the BCCI successfully raised the issue, leading the ICC to take the significant step of forming a committee to mediate the deadlock, a move that effectively “cornered” the PCB chief on the international stage.

The Asia Cup Trophy Tussle

The core of the conflict traces back to the Asia Cup 2025 final where India defeated Pakistan. The victorious Indian team, however, refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi during the post-match presentation ceremony. This refusal was reportedly due to Naqvi’s dual role as the ACC President and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, amidst existing political tensions between the two nations.

Instead of delegating the presentation, Naqvi reportedly left the venue with the silverware, which has since remained locked at the ACC headquarters in Dubai. Despite repeated formal requests from the BCCI for the trophy to be handed over, Naqvi insisted that India would have to collect it directly from him in a separate ceremony, an offer the BCCI staunchly rejected.

BCCI Escalates Matter to ICC

With the issue unresolved for weeks, the BCCI—represented by its secretary, Devajit Saikia—confirmed its intent to escalate the grievance to the ICC Executive Board meeting in Dubai. The Indian board’s firm stance was that the trophy rightfully belongs to the winning team and its continued detention by the ACC President was a governance failure.

In addition to the trophy row, the BCCI is also reportedly questioning Naqvi’s eligibility to hold dual roles—as a political office-bearer and a cricket administrator—suggesting it may violate ICC governance regulations. Adding weight to India’s position, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is also expected to back the BCCI’s move against Naqvi.

ICC Steps In: Mediation Panel Formed

Facing pressure from the BCCI and the broader cricket community, the ICC Board has agreed to intervene. Sources indicate that the ICC acknowledged that both India and Pakistan are vital members of the cricketing world and that such public disputes reflect poorly on the sport’s global governance.

To resolve the impasse, the ICC has reportedly established a mediation committee headed by Pankaj Khimji, Chairman of the Oman Cricket Board. Khimji is seen as an appropriate choice due to his generally cordial relationship with both the BCCI and the PCB. The committee’s mandate is to ensure an amicable resolution, with the primary goal being the expeditious handover of the Asia Cup trophy to the Indian team.

Naqvi’s attendance at the ICC meeting was uncertain until the last minute, with earlier reports suggesting he might skip it due to “domestic political issues.” However, he did ultimately arrive, putting him in direct confrontation with the issue raised by the BCCI, which has now resulted in the ICC’s official intervention.

The formation of the mediation panel marks a significant turning point, shifting the issue from a bilateral spat to an internationally monitored resolution process.