The uncertainty came to an end as now the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has opted to attend the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting in Dhaka through a virtual presence, effectively ending speculation of a possible boycott. The meeting, which will be chaired by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, will primarily focus on finalising the venue for the upcoming Asia Cup T20, an event India is slated to host.
Initially, there was significant tension, with the BCCI reportedly unwilling to participate in a meeting presided over by the PCB chairman. The Indian board had also expressed concerns over its scheduled tour to Bangladesh in August, citing political instability and lack of a reliable governing structure as reasons for holding off on the commitment.
The question of where the Asia Cup T20 will be held is still unresolved. While the United Arab Emirates with its established venues in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah is currently considered a frontrunner, Sri Lanka remains a possible alternative. What is certain is that India has no intention of travelling to Bangladesh, effectively ruling out the possibility of the tournament being hosted there.
The BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who serves as the designated ACC board member, will represent India in the meeting virtually. According to a source from the ACC, the decision was made after it became clear that the venue for the Asia Cup would be a central point of discussion, making the BCCI’s participation essential.
The tension over participation wasn’t limited to India alone. At one stage, there was a strong chance that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Afghanistan Cricket Board and the BCCI might skip the meeting entirely. Had that happened, the absence of three permanent Test-playing nations would have meant that the quorum required for the meeting would not have been met, rendering the session invalid.
Meanwhile, the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has already arrived in Dhaka, joined by other member representatives. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), acting purely as a logistical facilitator, emphasised its neutral role in the matter. A senior BCB official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, clarified that their board is only responsible for coordinating accommodation and travel for the participants and has no direct involvement in the administrative decisions being made.
With the virtual presence of the BCCI now confirmed, the ACC meeting can proceed without further complications. All eyes will now be on the outcome, particularly the much-anticipated decision regarding the venue for the Asia Cup T20, a tournament that holds significant weight in the lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup.
