Will India finally get its hands on the Asia Cup 2025 trophy? All eyes on ICC meetings

The upcoming ICC quarterly meetings in Dubai are set to address key cricketing controversies, including the delayed handover of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup trophy to India. Other issues include the governance crisis in USA Cricket (USAC) and the ongoing dispute over player image rights between the ICC and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA).

Asia Cup trophy dispute: India waits

India, which clinched its ninth Asia Cup title by beating Pakistan in Dubai, has yet to receive the trophy. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to accept it from Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC), citing cross-border tensions.

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia earlier told IANS:

"I have made my position clear from BCCI's point of view, that we'll wait for another 2-3 days. If the trophy is not returned to us, then we'll raise the issue in ICC's meeting starting from November 4. We are waiting for next two days now."

Saikia added:

"Yes, we have sent a letter to the ACC 10 days ago. If the trophy doesn't come, then we'll raise our grievance to the ICC, as that is the highest body in cricket."

The trophy has reportedly remained in an ACC office in the UAE, with Naqvi offering to organise an event in Dubai later this month to hand it over to the Indian team. However, the matter remains unresolved, with the trophy’s location now undisclosed.

ICC meetings to tackle multiple controversies

The ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) will convene on November 5, followed by the Board meeting on November 7. Although the Asia Cup issue is not formally on the agenda, it is expected to surface.

The meetings will also cover the fallout from political gestures during the India-Pakistan clash, where players including Haris Rauf, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sahibzada Farhan faced ICC reprimands for politically charged actions or remarks.

Officials remain aware of the financial and global importance of healthy India-Pakistan cricket relations, with hopes of a resolution during the meetings.

Player image rights dispute

The ICC is in a standoff with the WCA over Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. The ICC plans to launch a cricket-based mobile and console game. The WCA claims the ICC proceeded without consulting players, violating existing agreements.

The CEC will hear updates from member boards on securing NIL rights, amid accusations that certain boards are attempting to extend ownership of players’ rights beyond agreed terms.

USA Cricket suspension adds complexity

USAC was suspended on September 23 for breaches including bringing the game into disrepute and failing membership criteria. Bankruptcy filings and termination of its long-term partner, American Cricket Enterprise (ACE), have further complicated matters.

The suspension affects collaboration with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which requires a recognised National Governing Body for cricket to feature at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. ICC support is currently limited to cricket operations, pending USAC’s compliance with membership requirements.

ICC strategic and event updates

The meetings will also focus on the ICC’s medium-term strategy, including new funding models and cricket’s role in multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and 2028 Olympics.

Qualification pathways for upcoming ICC events, including the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup, 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy, and 2029 Women’s ODI World Cup, will be reviewed. A proposal to retain the 50-over format for the Under-19 World Cup, aimed at supporting Associate members, is also on the agenda.