Khalid Al Zarouni has been unanimously elected Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), giving the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Vice Chairman a senior position within Asian cricket’s regional governing body.
The appointment was approved by members at the ACC Annual General Meeting in Bangkok on August 22, which brought together representatives from across the Council’s membership. Al Zarouni’s election adds an ACC leadership responsibility to his existing work across the UAE cricket ecosystem.
Al Zarouni adds ACC role to UAE leadership portfolio
Al Zarouni has served as Vice Chairman of the Emirates Cricket Board, where he has been involved in the development of the sport in the UAE during a period that has included progress by the country’s men’s, women’s and junior teams in regional competitions and qualification for major ICC events.
His responsibilities also extend into franchise cricket as Chairman of the International League T20 (ILT20). Launched in 2022, the competition has sought to create opportunities for UAE and other Associate players alongside its international roster, including through partnerships within the Gulf and in other markets.
Under Zarouni’s Chairmanship, the ILT20 has grown over its first four season to becoming one of the top T20 tournaments in the cricket world, with three of the six teams owned by IPL franchises, two others owned by Indian conglomerates, and one owned by American Avram Glazer, co-owner of Manchester United.
The ACC Vice Presidency now gives Al Zarouni a role at the continental governance level, where the Council oversees the development and promotion of cricket across its Asian membership.
UAE builds its position in international cricket
Al Zarouni’s appointment comes alongside the UAE’s established role as a venue for major international cricket. The country has staged ICC and ACC competitions and continues to serve as a host for significant tournaments involving teams from across the region.
Dubai International Stadium will next stage the eight-team DP World Women’s Asia Cup, which begins later this week. The tournament provides another example of the UAE combining its domestic cricket ambitions with its position as an international event host.
That broader platform spans national-team development, franchise cricket through the ILT20 and the staging of international events, while Al Zarouni’s new position extends UAE representation into the ACC’s senior leadership.
ACC reshapes regional governance
Al Zarouni’s election formed part of a wider set of ACC governance decisions taken in Bangkok. As previously reported by cricexec, the AGM also added the Afghanistan Cricket Board to the rotation of Full Member Boards eligible to assume the ACC Presidency, while representatives backed by Pakistan secured the three contested Executive Board positions.
The meeting additionally approved the formation of committees covering areas including administration, cricket development, competitions and finance, with their composition due to be announced separately.
Al Zarouni will now combine his responsibilities as Emirates Cricket Board Vice Chairman and ILT20 Chairman with his newly elected position as ACC Vice President.
