BCCI May Escalate Asia Cup Trophy Delay to ICC Meeting on November 4

More than a month after India's triumphant five-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28 in Dubai, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) remains in a standoff with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over the handover of the winners' trophy. The silverware, currently held in Dubai under ACC custody, has yet to reach the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, prompting frustration from Indian officials. BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia expressed dissatisfaction in an exclusive interview, noting that the board sent a letter to ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi—also Pakistan's Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief—about 10 days ago but received no resolution.

The dispute traces back to the post-match ceremony, where Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav declined to accept the trophy from Naqvi or shake hands with Pakistan's captain, citing geopolitical tensions between the two nations. The presentation, delayed by over an hour, ended abruptly with the trophy removed from the field without formal handover, marking a first in international cricket. Naqvi has insisted on personally presenting the trophy, proposing a formal ceremony in Dubai on November 10 where BCCI representatives and available Indian players could collect it directly from him as ACC president. This condition has been firmly rejected by the BCCI, which views it as a breach of neutrality and protocol, especially given Naqvi's dual roles amid India-Pakistan strains.

Sources indicate the BCCI has garnered support from the Sri Lanka and Afghanistan cricket boards, urging Naqvi to release the trophy unconditionally, and is even pushing for his impeachment as ACC president for alleged violations of administrative responsibilities. While Naqvi has conveyed readiness to hand it over and reportedly apologised privately, he has publicly denied any wrongdoing, emphasising the trophy's status as ACC property held in trust. The impasse has fuelled broader diplomatic ripples, including reports of Naqvi receiving a national honour in Pakistan for his stance, further straining relations ahead of key international forums.

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If unresolved in the coming days, the BCCI plans to escalate the matter at the International Cricket Council (ICC)'s quarterly board meeting in Dubai starting November 4, potentially discussing it through December's full session. Saikia assured fans that the trophy "will come back to India" eventually, stressing India's unchallenged championship status on record and calling for "good sense" to prevail. This row underscores ongoing frictions in Asian cricket governance, where India's financial dominance as the ACC's largest contributor amplifies its leverage, while Naqvi's firm position reflects the PCB's efforts to assert sovereignty. As the deadline looms, the saga risks overshadowing the tournament's sporting highlights, including standout performances from Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team's dominant run against rivals.

In lighter BCCI developments, the upcoming second Test against South Africa in Guwahati from November 22 could make history by reversing traditional session breaks, serving tea before lunch for the first time in a day Test. This adjustment, approved by the BCCI and Cricket South Africa, addresses Guwahati's early sunrises and sunsets in the northeastern region, allowing an earlier 9:00 AM start to maximise daylight and ensure at least six hours of play daily. The proposed schedule includes a first session from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, a 20-minute tea break, a second session from 11:20 AM to 1:20 PM, a 40-minute lunch, and a final session from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, with possible extensions. Drawing from local Ranji Trophy precedents, this pragmatic tweak at Barsapara Stadium—hosting its maiden Test—prioritises uninterrupted action, reflecting cricket's adaptive evolution to geographic realities while the trophy dispute simmers in the background.

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