Explained: Why Mohsin Naqvi's ACC extension is headed nowhere

Recent speculation notwithstanding, Mohsin Naqvi has little chance of getting an extension as president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). But before his term ends next year, there may be one more occasion for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman to stand on the podium with an Indian side winning the final.

Naqvi’s current term is scheduled to end in April 2027, and any extension would require near-unanimous agreement from the ACC Executive Board, which is virtually an impossible proposition. The Executive Board comprises the five Full Members from the continent — India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

Naqvi may make a case for an extension until the ACC Annual General Meeting (AGM), which is normally held in the last quarter of the year — this year’s AGM was held last month. However, ACC members, Cricbuzz spoke to, point out that the president’s term is not linked to the AGM. The term is normally for two years, running from March to March, although in Naqvi’s case it ends on April 2, 2027.

The ACC presidency is rotated every two years among the five Full Members, and it is Bangladesh’s turn next. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Tamim Iqbal is believed to be keen to take charge and he is understood to have conveyed his intentions to the continental body.

At least three, if not four, of the five ACC Full Members are expected to oppose any extension for Naqvi, although an extension is not unprecedented at the ACC. Jay Shah served a third year in 2024, but in that case there was complete unanimity among the members. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), which was next in line to take charge, also agreed to cede its turn in favour of Shah.

One ACC member explained the Naqvi situation to Cricbuzz: “There may be speculations, but Naqvi’s term ends in April 2027. Bangladesh is next in line, and there is a belief among ACC members that Tamim is looking forward to taking over. Naqvi may argue that the AGM was held only in August last year, when elections to other ACC positions were not held, and that the elections were held only in August this year. But the term of the ACC president has no connection with the AGM.”

He elaborated on that point. “The president has a two-year term which is rotated among the full members of the ACC. Extensions can occasionally be granted by unanimous agreement among the Executive Board and in the current ACC Executive Board, there is no unanimity. At least on the subject of extension to Naqvi, there is little chance of unanimity, going by recent turn of events.”

However, there is a possibility of one more potential flashpoint over the trophy presentation. The Asian Under-19 Women’s Championship is scheduled to be held in Bangladesh this December, with India being the favourites for the title. India are, in fact, the two-time defending champions, and Naqvi may insist on presenting the trophy himself, as he did at the recent Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai and the men’s Asia Cup last September, with both the Indian teams refusing to take the silverware from him.

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