Politics will not be dragged into ACC matters, says Mohsin Naqvi 

Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Syed Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that it was agreed at the ACC’s annual meeting that politics would not be allowed to spoil relations between the member countries, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Speaking at the end of the meeting in Dhaka, Naqvi, who also holds the portfolio of interior minister, said that the meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere and the participants agreed to work for the promotion of cricket. 

“We are holding discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the Asia Cup’s schedule,” the ACC president said, and expressed the hope that the schedule would be released soon.  

He thanked all members for participating in the meeting. 

BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla attended the meeting via a video link.

Speaking at the ACC Annual General Meeting, Naqvi underscored the importance of regional harmony for the sport’s development. He urged members to treat cricket as a unifying force, rather than allowing geopolitical issues to hinder progress.

“We must function as one unit if we want cricket in Asia to grow,” Naqvi said. “Our focus should remain on the game itself — politics must not interfere with its progress.”

He emphasized that collaboration and collective strength among Asian teams will enhance the sport’s competitiveness and commercial appeal. “Stronger cricketing nations mean more exciting matches, and that drives audience interest and market growth,” Naqvi noted.

In his address, Naqvi also highlighted the need to empower associate member nations by providing them with the tools, training, and support necessary to elevate their game. “The development of our associate members is key to raising the standard of cricket across the region,” he said.

Mohsin Naqvi thanked all participants of the ACC meeting and praised the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for its warm hospitality. “I would like to thank the BCB for their kind hospitality and all member nations for their active participation,” Naqvi said during a press conference after the meeting.

He said that all member countries had shown a strong commitment to developing cricket across Asia and added that the environment throughout the meeting was positive and constructive. “We have agreed to work together for the betterment of cricket. These two days were very productive and memorable. Everyone wants to keep politics out of cricket,” he added.

Speaking about the Asia Cup 2025, Naqvi said that talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are still ongoing, and a final decision will be made soon. “A decision regarding the Asia Cup will be announced shortly. Discussions with the Indian board are continuing, and we are hopeful for a positive outcome,” he said.

When asked about the absence of some officials from the meeting, Naqvi clarified that all member boards were represented, even if some individuals couldn't attend in person due to scheduling issues. “Some people couldn’t make it to Dhaka — and that’s normal. I myself missed a meeting in Singapore once. What matters is that every board was represented,” he explained.

“This is a collective effort, and we will continue to hold such meetings in the future,” he concluded.

Naqvi also confirmed that talks on several topics with the Bangladesh board are ongoing and said an official statement will be shared soon.

The Asian Cricket Council charts the Future of Asian Cricket at the Annual General Meeting in Dhaka!

Read more: https://t.co/TMCIAslxh7#ACC pic.twitter.com/jRhiEreHC7

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) July 24, 2025

Following is press released issued by the ACC after its Dhaka meeting:

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) convened its Annual General Meeting (AGM) today in Dhaka, Bangladesh, bringing together representatives from all of the organisation’s Member nations. 

The meeting was chaired by Mr Mohsin Naqvi, ACC President and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board and was attended by 100% of ACC’s members. 

Mr Naqvi conveyed his sincere appreciation to Mr. Aminul Islam, President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), for BCB’s gracious hospitality and seamless coordination in hosting the AGM. He acknowledged the significance of holding the ACC AGM in Dhaka for the first time and thanked BCB for creating an atmosphere of warmth, professionalism, and collaboration. 

Key developments

Among the major outcomes of the AGM were the approvals for the audited financial accounts, the ACC budget, and the comprehensive tournament calendar for 2025–2026, in line with ACC’s sustained commitment to delivering structured development and high-quality cricketing opportunities across its Member countries. 

ACC announced the inclusion of cricket in the upcoming Asian Games 2026 to be held in Japan, which will see participation 10 (ten) men’s and 8 (eight) women’s teams from across the continent, to be chosen based on their rankings. 

The organization also welcomed 3 new Member nations, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines into the ACC family, extending the reach of the sport into new and emerging cricket regions. 

Shared commitment

At the AGM, ACC Members reaffirmed their support for development and promotion of Asian Cricket whilst always putting cricket first. The meeting was adjourned with members reiterating their joint commitment to a forward-looking vision; one that nurtures excellence, inclusion, and broadens the game’s reach across the continent.

Reporter: Wasim Ahmad