ACC Meeting Ends Without Key Decisions; Asia Cup Fate Hinges on BCCI Approval

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dhaka on Thursday, July 24th, but key decisions remain unresolved. While the meeting proceeded, the crucial election of the vice-president was deferred, leading to an adjournment rather than a conclusive end, according to sources.

Members of the ACC at the AGM in Dhaka © BCB

Asia Cup Uncertainty

A formal decision regarding the Asia Cup was not explicitly stated in the ACC release. However, it is widely understood that the tournament is expected to proceed. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the host, the final decision rests with them. "The decision regarding the Asia Cup will come soon. The venue and schedule will be announced too," stated Mosin Naqvi, the PCB and ACC head, following the meeting.

The ACC, under Naqvi's leadership, is expected to align its stance with the BCCI concerning both the Asia Cup and the pending election. The election is anticipated to be addressed at a later date and venue. Rajeev Shukla, the BCCI vice-president, and Ashish Shelar, a former BCCI treasurer, participated in the meeting virtually.

Attendance and Participation

Naqvi addressed concerns about member attendance, stating, "Several countries were not able to come to Dhaka, it happens every time... This is a normal thing - the majority of the members come, and some don't come due to their schedule too. But we've got all 25 members (in this meeting - both physically and online), who participated in the meeting."

Asia Cup Preparations

Sources present at the meeting suggest a positive outlook for the Asia Cup. "We cannot say it will happen for sure, but there was no impression that it wouldn't happen. The BCCI is sorting out issues with commercial partners. It will take some time."

The tournament is expected to feature eight teams: UAE, Hong Kong, and Oman, alongside the five Test-playing Asian nations: India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The 19-match event is tentatively scheduled from September 10 to September 28, with a possibility of an earlier start date.

The Asia Cup is planned to be held in the UAE, with matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. This decision follows the ACC's move to host the tournament in a neutral country when either India or Pakistan are the designated hosts.

Other Key Decisions

The AGM approved audited financial accounts, the ACC budget, and the tournament calendar for 2025-2026. A significant announcement was the inclusion of cricket in the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, featuring 10 men's and eight women's teams selected based on their rankings.

Furthermore, the ACC welcomed three new member nations: Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines.