The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) concluded its annual meeting in Dhaka with a strong message of unity and collaboration, as representatives from 25 member nations—attending both physically and virtually—came together to chart the course for cricket’s growth across Asia. The session was chaired by ACC President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Among the key outcomes of the meeting was the unanimous agreement to keep political issues separate from cricket affairs, a stance Naqvi described as essential for the sport’s development in the region. “All member countries shared a common vision and agreed to avoid politicizing cricket,” he said. “The spirit of teamwork and cooperation was evident throughout.”

Budget, Calendar, and Asian Games Cricket Confirmed

The council formally approved the audited budget and finalized its event calendar for 2025 and 2026, laying out plans for future tournaments and cricket development initiatives. A major highlight was the confirmation that cricket will be included in the 2026 Asian Games, with 10 men’s and eight women’s teams competing. Teams will be selected based on ICC rankings, ensuring competitive participation.

New Members: Mongolia, Philippines, Uzbekistan Join ACC

In a significant expansion move, the ACC welcomed three new full members—Mongolia, the Philippines, and Uzbekistan. This decision reflects the council’s goal of bringing cricket to non-traditional markets and encouraging participation from emerging cricketing nations.

Asia Cup 2025 Talks Ongoing

The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 was also on the agenda. Discussions regarding the tournament’s schedule are ongoing between the ACC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Naqvi hinted at the possibility of expanding the tournament from six to eight teams and assured that the final dates would be announced soon.

“Negotiations with the Indian board are progressing positively,” Naqvi said. “We hope to finalize the Asia Cup schedule shortly.”

India was represented virtually by BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla, signaling continued dialogue between the two cricket boards despite broader political tensions between the countries.

Unity Over Division

The meeting brought together officials from nations including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, UAE, Singapore, Cambodia, Oman, Afghanistan, Thailand, and the newly admitted Uzbekistan, reaffirming the region’s shared commitment to cricket.

Naqvi concluded the session by praising the Bangladesh Cricket Board for their hospitality and commending the positive spirit shown by all attendees. He also assured fans that updates on the Pakistan-India Asia Cup clash would be released once scheduling is finalized.

“We are moving forward with a unified vision to promote cricket across Asia,” Naqvi said. “Politics will not be allowed to undermine that goal.”