Dhaka, July 11, 2025: The Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC) annual meeting, scheduled to be held in Dhaka later this month, is now mired in controversy after India launched a behind-the-scenes campaign to oppose the venue, sources confirmed on Friday.
According to insiders, both the Indian government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are actively lobbying other ACC member boards to boycott the meeting, which is scheduled for July 24, with delegates expected to arrive in Dhaka a day earlier.
Sources say that India’s opposition to Bangladesh as the host has intensified in recent days, with attempts to persuade other boards to withdraw, allegedly offering incentives in return. In a parallel move, ICC Chairman Jay Shah is said to be encouraging member boards to formally oppose the Dhaka meeting through written communication and by refusing to participate.
While Sri Lanka and Oman have reportedly sided with India and formally objected to the meeting taking place in Dhaka, a majority of ACC members continue to support the scheduled session and have reaffirmed their backing for ACC President Mohsin Naqvi.
Despite growing tensions, preparations for the event continue. However, with calls to postpone or relocate the meeting gaining traction, the fate of the annual session hangs in the balance.
The uncertainty surrounding the meeting comes at a time when the ACC was expected to finalize the schedule for the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 during the session. Reports had earlier suggested that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was emerging as the likely host of the Asia Cup due to ongoing tensions between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the BCCI.
If the plan proceeds as expected, the Asia Cup is tentatively set to begin on September 10, although the final schedule now depends on the outcome of the ACC meeting.
The situation adds a new layer of complexity to an already strained regional cricketing landscape, with geo-political tensions once again overshadowing administrative coordination and tournament planning.
