NEW DELHI: Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav made a subtle reference to the ongoing Asia Cup trophy controversy while celebrating India’s 2-1 series win over Australia, after the fifth and final T20I in Brisbane was washed out. The controversy arose when India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi following their victory in the final on September 28.During the post-match press conference in Brisbane, Suryakumar expressed his happiness at finally getting to hold a trophy.“It feels great to finally get to touch the trophy. Felt it in my hands, when I was handed over the trophy for the series victory. A few days back another trophy arrived in India our women’s team has won the World Cup. That trophy has also arrived back home. It feels great and getting to touching this trophy as well feels good,” he stated.The Indian team had earlier declined to receive the Asia Cup winner’s trophy from PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Asian Cricket Council chairperson, citing his anti-India stance.Efforts are now underway to resolve the trophy dispute, with representatives from both cricket boards having met recently in Dubai.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi during an ICC gathering to discuss the issue.
“I was a part of both the informal and formal meeting of the ICC. PCB chairperson Mohsin Naqvi was also present. During the course of a formal meeting, it was not on agenda but ICC facilitated a meeting between myself and the PCB chief separately in the presence of a senior ICC office-bearer and another senior official,” Saikia explained.The meeting was facilitated by ICC deputy chairman Imran Khawaja and CEO Sanjog Gupta, though Saikia refrained from naming them directly.“It was really good to start the process of negotiation. Both sides cordially participated in the meeting which took place on the sidelines of the ICC board meet,” he added.Saikia also sounded hopeful about an amicable resolution. “Definitely, in coming times, if things go in a positive way, the issue will be sorted at the earliest,” he stated.
