How Mohsin Naqvi plans to avoid confrontation with BCCI at ICC meeting over Asia Cup trophy

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi may skip the ongoing ICC Executive Board meeting in Dubai to avoid a direct confrontation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the controversial Asia Cup trophy issue.

According to reports, Naqvi has cited “domestic political issues” as the reason for his possible absence from the four-day meeting, which began on Tuesday. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has not attended any ICC meetings since Jay Shah became ICC Chairman last year.

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The main talking point at the meeting is expected to be India’s demand for the immediate handover of the 2025 Asia Cup trophy, which Naqvi took away after the Indian players refused to accept it from him during the post-final presentation ceremony in September.

The BCCI plans to raise the issue formally at the ICC meeting, accusing the ACC chief of denying the champions their rightful trophy and medals. Naqvi has reportedly refused to hand over the trophy unless the Indian team or a BCCI representative personally takes it from him, a condition that the BCCI has rejected outright.

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According to PTI, the Chief Operating Officer of PCB Sumair Syed will attend the ICC executives’ meeting, and if Naqvi does not travel to Dubai, he might represent Pakistan in the crucial board meeting scheduled for November 7. There is also a possibility that Naqvi could join the meeting virtually to avoid face-to-face exchanges with BCCI officials and Jay Shah.

The BCCI, led by secretary Devajit Saikia, had earlier written to the ACC demanding that the trophy be sent to India before November 3. However, with no response from Naqvi, the matter has now escalated to the ICC. Saikia said the board will formally raise the issue with the ICC.

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The Asia Cup trophy row erupted after India defeated Pakistan thrice during the tournament, including in the final, but were denied a post-match presentation. The awkward episode followed a tense tournament in which both teams refused to shake hands in protest of the Pahalgam terror attack.