BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that a senior ICC official is mediating the ongoing discussions between the Board of Control for Cricket in India, or BCCI, and Pakistan Cricket Board chairperson Mohsin Naqvi over the Asia Cup trophy dispute.
The row erupted after the Suryakumar Yadav-captained Indian team refused to receive the trophy from Naqvi, who is also ACC president, after their victory in the eight-nation tournament. In retaliation, Pakistan’s Interior Minister is said to have issued an order to lock the trophy in the headquarters of ACC, asking the officials to not give it away. Naqvi’s determination to present the silverware personally seems to have resulted in a standoff with the BCCI, with the issue now going up to the ICC meeting for resolution.
During the sidelines of that meeting, Saikia spoke to Naqvi and termed that conversation positive, asserting that the issue would be settled soon. He also ruled out speculation on the formation of any special ICC committee over this matter. The situation will be amicably solved without extreme measures, he asserted.
ICC Deputy Chairman Imran Khawaja and Chief Executive Sanjog Gupta have played a key role in acting as a bridge between the two Boards- BCCI and PCB to close the issue related to the trophy, PTI reports.
“Although one of the senior persons from ICC is involved in the process of negotiation, there is no requirement for any such thing (a committee) at this stage. The issue will be resolved before any such drastic step is taken by the ICC,” Saikia told news agency PTI.
“Definitely, in the coming times, if things go in a positive way, the issue will be sorted at the earliest,” Saikia said.
