The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has completed a significant governance reshuffle at its 2026 Annual General Meeting in Bangkok, with Pakistan-backed candidates securing all three contested Executive Board positions and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) being added to the rotation of Full Member Boards eligible to assume the ACC Presidency.
The AGM, held on August 22 with participation from all ACC member countries, also elected Khalid Al Zarooni as ACC Vice President and approved a new set of committees covering areas including administration, cricket development, competitions and finance.
Pakistan-backed candidates secure board positions
The three contested Executive Board seats went to representatives from Qatar, Singapore and the Maldives/Bahrain arrangement, with the successful candidates backed by Pakistan.
Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saoud Al Thani, President of the Qatar Cricket Association, and Mahmood Gaznavi, President of the Singapore Cricket Association, were elected to represent non-Test-playing Full Member countries for the 2026–2028 term.
For the Associate Member representation, Cricket Board of Maldives representative Mohamed Faisal and Bahrain Cricket Federation representative Mohammad Mansoor will share the term in office.
The result gave the Pakistan-backed panel all three available positions against a rival panel supported by India. India was represented at the AGM by Rajiv Shukla.
Afghanistan enters ACC Presidency rotation
Members also approved the addition of the Afghanistan Cricket Board to the ACC Presidency rotation, broadening the group of Full Member Boards eligible to lead the regional governing body.
Before the decision, the Presidency rotated among Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Afghanistan’s inclusion now expands that leadership pool to five Full Member Boards.
The change represents one of the most significant governance outcomes from the Bangkok meeting, alongside the Executive Board elections and committee appointments.
Khalid Al Zarooni elected Vice President
Khalid Al Zarooni, Vice President of the Emirates Cricket Board, was unanimously elected Vice President of the Asian Cricket Council.
His appointment formed part of the wider leadership changes agreed at the AGM, which also set the composition of the Executive Board for the next term.
Asian Cricket Council President Mohsin Naqvi said in an official ACC statement following the Annual General Meeting in Bangkok: “Cricket in Asia has always been more than a game — it is a shared language that connects nations, cultures and generations. The decisions taken at this Annual General Meeting reflect the maturity of our governance and our collective resolve to build institutions that will serve the sport long after we have left from these positions. I congratulate our newly elected Vice President and Executive Board Members, and I thank every Member Board for the spirit of unity and cooperation that continues to define this Council. Our responsibility now is to carry this vision forward with humility, discipline and an unwavering commitment to the game — for the players of today, and for the generations of Asian cricketers yet to come.”
New ACC committees approved
The General Meeting also approved the formation of several committees designed to support the Council’s governance and operational work.
Their remit will cover areas including administration, cricket development, competitions, finance and other key functions. The ACC is expected to announce the composition of the newly formed committees separately.
Asia Cup and Women’s Asia Cup preparations reviewed
The AGM also considered preparations for upcoming ACC competitions. Planning for the next Asia Cup in Bangladesh was reviewed, with Sylhet, Mirpur and Chattogram proposed as host venues.
Officials also discussed arrangements for the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai, while the ACC’s annual budget formed part of the wider meeting agenda.
The Bangkok AGM therefore combined changes at board and Presidency level with preparations for the Council’s next major competitions, setting the governance and operational agenda for the period ahead.
