Mohsin Naqvi is unlikely to remain Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President beyond April 2027, with opposition among the organisation’s Full Members leaving little prospect of the unanimous backing needed for an extension, according to a report by Cricbuzz journalist Vijay Tagore.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman is scheduled to complete his tenure on April 2, 2027. Although ACC Presidents have previously remained in office beyond their standard terms, the circumstances surrounding Naqvi point towards a leadership change next year.
Jay Shah provides the recent precedent
An extended ACC presidency is not without precedent. Jay Shah served a third year in the position in 2024 after receiving unanimous support from the members.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was due to take over under the rotation at the time but agreed to surrender its turn in favour of Shah. That arrangement allowed the incumbent President to continue with the consent of the Executive Board and the member whose place in the succession order was affected.
Bangladesh prepares for its turn
The ACC presidency ordinarily operates on a two-year rotation between the organisation’s five Full Members — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Bangladesh is next in line after Pakistan, while Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal is understood to be keen to take charge and has conveyed his intentions to the continental body.
One potential argument for Naqvi remaining in office could centre on the timing of ACC elections and its Annual General Meeting (AGM). An ACC Member told Cricbuzz: “There may be speculations, but Naqvi’s term ends in April 2027. Bangladesh is next in line, and there is a belief among ACC members that Tamim is looking forward to taking over. Naqvi may argue that the AGM was held only in August last year, when elections to other ACC positions were not held, and that the elections were held only in August this year. But the term of the ACC president has no connection with the AGM.”
Executive Board support becomes the key hurdle
Naqvi would need the backing of the ACC Executive Board to secure additional time in the presidency. At least three, and possibly four, of its five Full Members are expected to oppose such a move.
The ACC Member added: “The president has a two-year term which is rotated among the full members of the ACC. Extensions can occasionally be granted by unanimous agreement among the Executive Board and in the current ACC Executive Board, there is no unanimity. At least on the subject of extension to Naqvi, there is little chance of unanimity, going by recent turn of events.”
Another India trophy presentation could emerge
Before his scheduled departure, Naqvi could encounter another trophy presentation involving an Indian team. The Asian Under-19 Women’s Championship is due to be staged in Bangladesh in December, with India entering as the two-time defending champion and among the favourites for the title.
Naqvi presented the silverware at the men’s Asia Cup last September and the more recent Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai, but on both occasions the victorious Indian teams refused to accept their trophies from him.
If India reaches the final of the Under-19 tournament, Naqvi may seek to perform the presentation duties again.
