Desk Report,
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan boycott ACC meeting in Dhaka along with India
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) annual general meeting will be held in Dhaka on July 24. But Indian media outlet India Today reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and some other ACC member boards have decided to boycott the meeting due to political and diplomatic reasons.
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan boycott ACC meeting in Dhaka along with India
A top-level source told the media outlet that the BCCI has officially informed the ACC and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi about their decision not to attend the meeting if it is held in Dhaka. India Today reported that the recent political tensions between India and Bangladesh are the reason behind the decision. Not only the Indian Cricket Board, but the cricket boards of Sri Lanka, Oman and Afghanistan have also joined the boycott, the media outlet reported. The cricket boards of these three countries also have objections to the venue of the ACC meeting. However, despite the objections, ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is determined to organize the meeting in Dhaka, reported India Today.
Sources told the media, “The BCCI has made its position clear to the ACC and Chairman Naqvi. They have also personally requested to change the venue. But no response has been received so far.” The ACC has 27 member countries. According to the constitution of this regional cricket body, if any decision is taken in the Dhaka meeting without the participation of some important member boards, it can be considered invalid. This has created a crisis over the organization of the Asia Cup. The tournament is scheduled to be held next September.
Earlier, the Indian media ‘Sports Talk’ also reported the same news – the BCCI has officially requested to change the venue of the upcoming ACC meeting. It has also been indicated that if the current venue of the meeting is not shifted from Dhaka to somewhere else, the BCCI may withdraw from the meeting. According to the schedule, the Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in India in September. The name of the United Arab Emirates has also been discussed as an alternative venue. However, new complications may arise as India, Sri Lanka, Oman and Afghanistan have raised objections to the Dhaka meeting.
Sources also told India Today that ACC Chairman Naqvi is not looking to change the venue of the general meeting of the organization from Dhaka to keep India under pressure regarding the Asia Cup. There are only five days left. The ACC has not yet officially announced anything about changing the venue.
