The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is all set to hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with 24 out of 25 member nations confirming their participation. This overwhelming support is being seen as a major diplomatic achievement for ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, especially in light of earlier opposition from a few member boards.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time at a local hotel in the Bangladeshi capital. The confirmation from 24 members far exceeds the required quorum of 13, ensuring that the meeting can proceed without any procedural hurdles.
India, which had initially opposed the venue along with Sri Lanka and Oman, has now agreed to participate virtually. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla is expected to join the meeting online, a significant change from the earlier position taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
According to sources, the agenda for the meeting includes key discussions on the future of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, which is planned for September. However, the tournament’s fate remains uncertain. There are reports suggesting internal lobbying and political pressure within the ACC, with accusations that the BCCI is trying to block the event. If the Asia Cup 2025 is cancelled, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could face financial losses estimated at over PKR 1.25 billion.
On the eve of the AGM, the Bangladesh Cricket Board hosted a formal dinner in honor of President Naqvi and other council members. Naqvi took the opportunity to engage with officials, exchange souvenirs, and meet with the Pakistan men’s cricket team, who are currently touring Bangladesh for a T20I series.
He was also seen having an extended discussion with Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, highlighting the close coordination between the board and the national side. This is the first time in several years that Bangladesh is hosting the ACC AGM, making the event especially meaningful for the country’s cricket board.
Despite earlier resistance, the full-scale participation and the shift in India’s approach signal a diplomatic win for Naqvi. The developments from this meeting could have a lasting impact on the future of cricket in Asia, particularly the fate of the much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025.
