Pakistan-backed candidates have won all three Asian Cricket Council (ACC) board seats, defeating an India-backed panel in a closely contested election held in Bangkok.
The election took place during the ACC Annual General Meeting, where Pakistan- and India-backed panels competed for three director positions on the board.
According to sources, the winning panel was supported by ACC President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and included representatives from Qatar, Singapore and the Maldives.
The Pakistan-backed candidates won all three seats after a close contest, while the India-backed panel was defeated.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla represented India at the meeting.
The result marks the first time since the ACC’s establishment that a Pakistan-backed panel has secured all three available board seats.
Sources described the outcome as a major success for Naqvi and a sign of Pakistan’s growing influence within the Asian Cricket Council.
During the annual general meeting, members also discussed preparations for next year’s Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Sylhet, Mirpur and Chattogram were proposed as venues for the tournament.
The ACC’s annual budget was also discussed, while preparations and arrangements for the Women’s Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Dubai, were reviewed.
India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group for this year’s Women’s T20 Asia Cup, which will be held from Aug. 28 to Sept. 13.
The eight-team tournament will be divided into two groups of four teams.
According to the schedule, the 2026 Women’s T20 Asia Cup will begin on Aug. 28 with a match between Thailand and Hong Kong, China, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The venue will host all 15 matches of the tournament, including the final on Sept. 13.
