ACC meeting in Dhaka faces boycott threat from BCCI, three other boards

The Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) annual general meeting, scheduled for July 24 in Dhaka, is facing uncertainty as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and several other member boards are reportedly planning to boycott the event, citing political and diplomatic concerns.

According to the Indian Daily Newspaper India Today, the BCCI has officially informed both the ACC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairperson Mohsin Naqvi that it would not participate in the meeting if it was held in Dhaka. The decision stems from the strained political relations between India and Bangladesh.

Uncertainty over the 2025 edition of the Asia Cup looms large after BCCI and several other member boards decided to boycott the ACC meeting. Cricket boards of Sri Lanka, Oman, and Afghanistan have also backed India, citing similar reservations about the venue. Despite the mounting opposition, ACC chairperson Mohsin Naqvi is said to be adamant about holding the meeting in Dhaka.

"The BCCI has clearly communicated its stance to both the ACC and chairperson Naqvi.

They have also personally requested a change in venue, but there has been no response so far," the source told India Today.

According to ACC's constitution, any decision made at the meeting in Dhaka without the participation of key member boards could be deemed invalid. This has raised concerns about a potential deadlock on the hosting of the Asia Cup. Sources have further suggested that Naqvi's insistence on keeping the meeting in Dhaka was being perceived as an attempt to exert undue pressure on India over Asia Cup matters.

With only five days left for the scheduled meeting, no official communication has been made by the ACC regarding any venue change, leaving the future of the Asia Cup uncertain.

The Asia Cup is tentatively scheduled to be held in the month of September.

Key decisions, including on the Asia Cup, cannot be taken in the absence of key member boards, as per the ACC Constitution, meaning the PCB and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will not be able to take a call on the Asia Cup even if they choose to go ahead with the meeting along with other boards as it would not be deemed legal.

The ACC is yet to make a decision on shifting the venue despite just five days remaining for the meeting, making this year's continental event all the more unlikely.