“Within a day or two,” the BCCI is still optimistic that the winners’ trophy of the Asia Cup will be brought to their Mumbai headquarters. However, in case the deadlock continues, the Indian board intends to take the issue to the ICC at its quarterly meeting in Dubai from November 4.
India had beaten Pakistan by five wickets in the final in Dubai to win the Asia Cup. Nonetheless, after Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, reportedly refused to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart due to the diplomatic rift between the two countries, the team did not agree to receive the trophy from Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Mohsin Naqvi, who besides being the ACC and PCB chairman is also serving as the Pakistan’s Interior Minister, was the one to hand over the trophy.
Asia Cup Trophy handover still pending, remarked by BCCI
Naqvi has indicated that the trophy can be handed over to India but insists it will be presented by him. More than a month after India’s triumph, the BCCI has yet to receive the silverware.
“Yes, we are a little unhappy with the way the trophy has not been handed over even after a month,” BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia told PTI Video. “We are pursuing this matter; about 10 days ago, we wrote a letter to the ACC chairman, but there has been no change in their stand. They are still keeping the trophy under their custody, but we hope it will reach the BCCI office in Mumbai in a day or two.”
Saikia added that if the trophy is not delivered soon, the BCCI will raise the issue at the ICC meeting starting November 4. The trophy presentation in Dubai had been delayed by over an hour, and the silverware was eventually taken off the field without explanation, leaving India’s team celebrating their historic win without the trophy.
“On behalf of BCCI, we are fully prepared to handle the matter, and I can assure the people of India that the trophy will come back to India — only the timeline is not fixed. One day it will come,” Saikia said. “We have won all matches against Pakistan and won the championship. Everything is on record. Only the trophy is missing. I hope good sense will prevail.”
(By PTI Inputs)
