Pakistan scores key win over India at ACC meeting
BANGKOK: Pakistan secured a significant victory over India at an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Bangkok, winning all three seats in the election for ACC directors in a closely fought contest.
The meeting, chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, brought Pakistan- and India-backed panels into direct competition for the three director positions. According to sources, the contest remained tight, but the panel supported by Pakistan emerged victorious in all three seats.
The result gives Pakistan an important voice within the regional cricket body as the ACC prepares for several major tournaments and administrative decisions.
India was represented at the meeting by Rajeev Shukla. The discussions also turned towards next year’s Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted by Bangladesh.
Officials considered possible venues for the tournament, with Sylhet, Mirpur and Chattogram among the grounds discussed for staging matches. The final schedule and venue arrangements are expected to be settled through further consultations.
The upcoming Asia Cup is likely to attract considerable attention across the cricketing region, particularly because Pakistan and India remain among the tournament’s biggest draws. Their matches traditionally generate huge interest among fans and broadcasters, making venue planning and tournament logistics especially important.
The Bangkok meeting also covered financial and administrative matters. The ACC budget was approved, while preparations for the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai were reviewed.
The decisions come as Asian cricket continues to expand its commercial and competitive footprint. With major bilateral and multinational events regularly drawing millions of viewers, the ACC plays a central role in coordinating tournaments, developing the game and managing regional cricketing interests.
For Pakistan, the election result represents a notable administrative gain at a time when relations between the two cricket boards remain closely watched. Securing all three director positions backed by its panel strengthens Pakistan’s representation in the ACC and could give it greater influence in future discussions.
The Bangladesh-hosted Asia Cup will be one of the key items on the ACC’s calendar next year. While Sylhet, Mirpur and Chattogram have emerged as possible venues, further decisions will be required regarding match allocation, logistics and other tournament arrangements.
The latest ACC meeting therefore delivered more than routine administrative decisions for Pakistan. The successful election result, coupled with discussions over the next Asia Cup and women’s tournament, placed Pakistan at the centre of several important developments shaping the future of Asian cricket.
