PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi reaches Dubai for ICC Board meeting; Asia Cup trophy row a hot topic

Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi has arrived in Dubai for the ICC Board meeting, where the BCCI is expected to raise the issue of the delayed Asia Cup trophy handover. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia reiterated their intention to escalate the matter to the ICC if the trophy isn't returned promptly.

File photo of Mohsin Naqvi from the Asia Cup final. (AP)

After plenty of uncertainty, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has reached Dubai for the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting today (November 7) at 3pm IST. Earlier, informal discussions between the Board members had begun without Naqvi's presence. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president had left for Dubai earlier in the day and was expected to be in attendance for the all-important Board meet. While it's not officially on the agenda, the Asia Cup trophy matter is likely to be raised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and could lead to a heated discussion between the arch-rivals.

BCCI sends a stern message to Mohsin Naqvi over Asia Cup trophy row

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia will be representing the Indian cricket board and he had repeatedly mentioned raising the Asia Cup trophy matter. Even before leaving for Dubai, he had emphasised that the grievance will be raised. "Ten days ago, we wrote to the ACC Chairperson, requesting that he hand over the trophy to the BCCI at the earliest. However, to this day, we have not received the trophy. We are waiting for another day. If we do not get the trophy by 3 November, a meeting will be held at the ICC headquarters in Dubai. We will raise our grievance before the apex body of international cricket. I am sure ICC will do justice and help India get the trophy at the earliest," Saikia told news agency ANI. The Asia Cup final, arguably, saw more drama after the final ball than during the contest, which India won by beating Pakistan. During the traditional ceremony, the Indian cricket team never got their hands on the silverware. PCB and ACC chief Naqvi left the venue with the trophy and the presentation ceremony took place without India getting the title. The BCCI raised the matter during an ACC meet last month but there hasn't been any resolution as Naqvi remained defiant. Naqvi could be under pressure from other administrators in Dubai as India are likely to get a lot of support on the matter when it comes up for discussion. Today is the last day of ICC meet in Dubai and it's worth noting that Naqvi stayed away for the first few days and only arrived an hour before the formal Board meet was about to get underway.

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