The next president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) will be from Pakistan, with Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), set to assume the role. The decision was made during the ACC meeting held in Bali in January 2024. Naqvi’s term as president will begin in January 2025 and will last for two years, during which he will lead the council’s initiatives and activities across the continent.
In the same meeting, the current ACC president, Jay Shah, was granted a one-year extension to his term, ensuring continuity in leadership until the transition to the new president takes place. This move allows Shah to continue guiding the ACC’s current projects and maintain stability within the organization.
Mohsin Naqvi currently holds the positions of Chairman of the PCB and Interior Minister of Pakistan. His new role as ACC president will add a third portfolio to his responsibilities. This appointment has sparked some controversy, with star cricketer Shahid Afridi criticizing Naqvi for holding multiple portfolios, arguing that Naqvi lacks sufficient knowledge about cricket. Afridi’s comments reflect broader concerns within the cricket community about the effectiveness of Naqvi’s leadership given his extensive political commitments.
The Pakistan cricket team was eliminated in the first round of the T20 World Cup 2024, which has added to the scrutiny of Naqvi’s leadership. The team is now preparing for the Asia Cup 2024, amid reports suggesting that the Indian team will not travel to Pakistan for the tournament. This potential boycott by India underscores the ongoing political tensions between the two nations, which frequently spill over into their cricketing relations.
Naqvi’s upcoming tenure as ACC president will be closely watched, as he will need to navigate these challenges and work towards strengthening cricket in the region. His leadership will be critical in addressing the logistical and political issues surrounding the Asia Cup 2024 and fostering collaboration among the member nations of the ACC.
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