India, Nov. 13 -- NCP (SP) chief and former International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Sharad Pawar and city BJP leader Ashish Shelar came together on Wednesday to retain their hold over the prestigious Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) with the help of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in the high stakes election of its apex council.

Pawar supported Ajinkya Naik, who was elected unopposed as president of the MCA, while a joint panel put together by Pawar and Shelar came out trumps, winning 12 of the total 16 posts, including the key posts of secretary, vice president and treasurer.

As this was a pivotal election, Pawar, who is known to control the MCA, met Fadnavis on Monday to ensure Wednesday's smooth run. According to insiders, it w...