ACC Meeting Ends Without Asia Cup Verdict

The much-anticipated Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Annual General Meeting wrapped up in Dhaka on Thursday, with plenty of dialogue but no definitive decision on the fate of the 2025 Asia Cup.

Despite constructive discussions among all 25 member nations, the tournament’s final hosting arrangements are still in limbo until the BCCI issues a formal response.

ACC President and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who chaired the session, confirmed that the decision has been deferred until the BCCI communicates its stance in the coming days.

“We have deferred the final decision on the Asia Cup as the hosts, BCCI, will inform us in a few days. It’s a historic occasion, and we all want politics to stay out of sports. The unity of Asian countries matters the most,” said Naqvi, speaking to foreign media following the session.

The Asia Cup, scheduled tentatively in September, is expected to be played in the UAE, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi being eyed as potential venues. But ongoing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan have cast serious doubts on the participation framework. With strong voices in India urging the government to boycott bilateral sports with Pakistan, including some former cricketers, the BCCI’s final word carries enormous weight.

Although initially hesitant, the BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla eventually joined the meeting via video link, a move seen by many as a softening of stance after India had previously objected to attending the Dhaka session altogether.

While the Asia Cup’s fate dominated headlines, several other key developments came out of the ACC meeting:

• ACC Budget and Audited Financials were formally approved.
• A comprehensive tournament calendar for 2025–26 was signed off.
• Cricket’s inclusion in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan was confirmed, with ten men’s and eight women’s teams to participate based on ICC rankings.
• Three new members — Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines — were officially welcomed into the ACC, marking a significant expansion into emerging cricket territories.

The meeting also underlined a shared vision among Asian cricket boards to keep the sport free from political agendas.

With many hurdles now cleared, the ball is firmly in the BCCI’s court. Until India’s final decision is made public, the fate of the 2025 Asia Cup will remain uncertain. Should the tournament be approved, it will serve as a crucial lead-in to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, also to be held in Asia.

For now, the ACC is keeping the door of diplomacy open, which may pave the way for cricketing continuity. Whether that hope translates into action will depend on the days to come.