Asia Cup in jeopardy as India, SL, Afghanistan oppose ACC meeting in Dhaka

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is facing an unprecedented crisis as India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan have united in opposition to the upcoming ACC Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for July 24–25 in Dhaka. This united front, led by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is a direct challenge to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its president Mohsin Naqvi, who currently chairs the ACC.

India has demanded a change in venue, citing recent diplomatic tensions, particularly with Pakistan and Bangladesh. The BCCI has made it clear that it will not attend the AGM if it is held in Dhaka, and now has the backing of two other key Test-playing members, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. This has put the legitimacy of the meeting in serious doubt.

As per the ACC constitution, a valid quorum requires the presence of at least three of the five permanent Test-playing members (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan). With three of them refusing to travel to Dhaka, the AGM may not meet quorum requirements. The situation is further complicated by uncertainty around the participation of several full and associate member nations, including Oman, Nepal, and Malaysia.

Sources say Mohsin Naqvi even skipped the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore to visit Kabul in an effort to win over Afghanistan’s support. However, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has reportedly confirmed alignment with India’s position and will not attend the Dhaka meeting.

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Asia Cup at Risk as ACC Power Struggle Exposes Deepening Geopolitical Rift in Asian Cricket

There is a growing recognition within the Bangladesh Cricket Board of Control (BCB) that we have reached a geopolitical issue. Acting president Aminul Islam is under pressure for his decision to agree to hold the AGM without fully appreciating the consequences. Aminul, despite pending pushback from within the BCB, has declined to back away from hosting the AGM, citing his responsibility to Naqvi.

The BCB’s impasse has potentially larger ramifications, especially considering the Asia Cup in the UAE in September. If the AGM proceeds, we are being told that the ACC meeting could move forward without a legal quorum. This means that any decision taken at the ACC meeting could be invalidated. To add further complication, we are hearing about rumours from India, suggesting that the Indian cricket administration may boycott the Asia Cup if its concerns are not effectively appeased. This creates uncertainty about the commercial viability of the Asia Cup, as well as its legitimacy as a sporting competition. So the conclusion of this sorry saga means that cricket fans and administrators will need to endure a critical few days that could change Asia cricket's immediate future.