ACC leadership reshaped

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has approved a series of key governance changes, including the election of a new vice-president and Executive Board members, while opening the way for Afghanistan to join the rotation for the ACC presidency. The decisions were taken at the ACC Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bangkok on August 22, 2026, with representatives of all ACC member countries participating. Khalid Al Zarooni, vice-president of the UAE Emirates Cricket Board, was unanimously elected ACC vice-president, the ACC website says.. The General Meeting also elected members to the ACC Executive Board for the 2026–2028 term. Representing non-Test playing full member countries are Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saoud Al Thani, President of the Qatar Cricket Association, and Mahmood Gaznavi, President of the Singapore Cricket Association. Among the Associate Members, Mohamed Faisal of the Cricket Board of Maldives and Mohammad Mansoor of the Bahrain Cricket Federation were elected, with the two officials set to share the term in office. The newly-elected Executive Board members from Qatar, Singapore and Maldives secured Pakistan’s support during the election process. In a significant governance decision, the AGM approved the addition of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to the group of Full Member boards eligible to assume the ACC presidency. The presidency had previously rotated among Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. The decision gives Afghanistan a potential place in the ACC’s future presidential rotation and reflects the council’s stated aim of broadening representation and leadership participation among its Full Member boards. The meeting also approved the formation of committees covering governance, administration, cricket development, competitions, finance and other key areas. Details of the committees will be announced later. ACC President Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi congratulated the newly elected officials, describing the AGM decisions as a reflection of the maturity of the council’s governance. “Cricket in Asia has always been more than a game, it is a shared language that connects nations, cultures and generations,” Naqvi said, while stressing the ACC’s responsibility to strengthen the sport for present and future generations. The ACC reaffirmed its commitment to expanding opportunities for emerging cricket nations and promoting sustainable development of the game across Asia.