ICC forms committee to resolve BCCI-PCB tensions over Asia Cup trophy

The issue came about when Team India refused to collect the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the current ACC and PCB chief.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formed a committee to resolve tension between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). All the representatives from cricket boards had arrived in Dubai for the ICC meeting on Friday, November 7.

ICC tries to resolve BCCI-PCB matter

The two Asian boards have been at odds since the 2025 Asia Cup. The whole issue started with Team India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan players. It ended with PCB Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi refusing to hand the Asia Cup trophy over to Team India after they denied taking it from Naqvi at the podium.

The trophy has been locked at the ACC office in Dubai since, with the BCCI writing to the ICC in the aftermath. Despite all of this, the Asia Cup row wasn’t on the official agenda for the ICC meeting. Initially, it was reported that Naqvi won’t be present in Dubai, but he came to everyone’s surprise.

According to NDTV, all the board members agreed with ICC’s assessment that harmony between BCCI and PCB is essential to the betterment of world cricket. To resolve the Asia Cup matter, the ICC has decided to form a committee and ensure India receives the trophy soon.

BCCI vs PCB: Timeline of Asia Cup row

September 14, 2025

• India beat Pakistan in the group stage by 7 wickets.
• No pre- or post-match handshakes from Indian players.
• PCB protested to the ICC, alleging provocation.
• BCCI countered with complaints against Pakistani players (Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan) for “insensitive gestures” like mimicking rifle fire.
• India captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated the win to victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Army, prompting PCB complaints over “political statements”.

September 17, 2025

• Pakistan vs UAE group stage match delayed by an hour as PCB threatened to boycott over the handshake controversy and alleged bias by match referee Andy Pycroft.
• PCB demanded Pycroft’s removal.
• ICC mediated, confirming Pycroft’s continuation with an apology.
• Pakistan resumed play after Naqvi confirmed their participation.

September 21, 2025

• India met Pakistan again in the Super 4.
• Both teams refrained from shaking hands; separate presenters questioned the captains.
• India won by 6 wickets and again refused to shake hands.

September 28, 2025

• Pakistan boycotted the pre-final press conference.
• India defeated Pakistan by 5 wickets in the final.
• Post-match ceremony delayed by 90 minutes as Indian team refused to accept the trophy and medals from Naqvi, citing his government role and “hostility toward India.”
• Presentation abruptly ended without Indian awards; Naqvi took the trophy away, calling it “pre-planned unsporting behaviour.”
• BCCI labeled Naqvi’s actions “unsporting.”

September 28, 2025 (later the same day)

• Trophy row escalated.
• BCCI vowed to protest at the ICC conference, accusing Naqvi of violating the spirit of cricket.
• ACC deferred resolution to a smaller meeting of Test nations: BCCI, PCB, SLC, ACB, and BCB.

October 10, 2025

• Dispute remained unresolved.
• BCCI prepared to escalate to the ICC as Naqvi refused to send over the trophy.

October 21, 2025

• BCCI sent an email to ACC with Sri Lanka and Afghanistan copied.
• Mohsin Naqvi responded, insisting the Indian board could send a player or official to collect the trophy from the ACC office in Dubai after attending an official ceremony.
• BCCI refused and prepared to seek ICC intervention at the next meeting.