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ICC meetings in Dubai will address the India-Pakistan Asia Cup fallout, USAC suspension and a dispute with the World Cricketers’ Association over image rights.
India beat Pakistan to win Asia Cup 2025
The upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) quarterly meetings in Dubai are expected to focus on three major issues: the aftermath of the intense India-Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025, the governance crisis in USA Cricket (USAC), and the ongoing dispute between the ICC and the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) over player image rights, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The Cricket’s Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) will convene on November 5, followed by the ICC Board meeting on November 7, during which these issues are anticipated to be discussed.
Not Officially…
While the Asia Cup incident is not officially on the agenda, it is expected to be raised at the Board meeting. Relations between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) mirrored the political tensions between India and Pakistan this year, culminating in the Asia Cup, where the teams met three times. The tournament was fraught with controversy, including a no-handshake policy by the BCCI. Four players, Haris Rauf, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sahibzada Farhan, were reprimanded by the ICC for actions or remarks deemed political.
One of the most contentious topics remains the Asia Cup trophy itself. India, who won the title after defeating Pakistan in the final, refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman and head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The trophy has not been publicly seen since, with reports suggesting it remains in an ACC office in the UAE. Naqvi insists that, as ACC chief, he will be the one to present it. Given his role as Pakistan’s interior minister, it is uncertain whether he will attend the meeting in person or join remotely.
Despite the tension, board members recognise the financial and global importance of maintaining healthy ties between India and Pakistan, and some hope for a resolution during this week’s meetings.
Image Right
The ICC will also navigate a growing dispute with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) over Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. The ICC plans for a cricket-based mobile and console game, but the WCA accused the ICC of proceeding without consulting players collectively. At the ICC’s annual conference in July, some members proposed that boards should deal directly with their players over image rights, a move the WCA said breached an existing agreement with the ICC. The association has since accused the ICC and certain member boards of attempting to own the players’ NIL rights beyond agreed terms. The CEC will hear updates from members on their progress in securing those rights.
Olympics And More
Another major topic at the meetings will be the ICC’s medium-term strategic refresh, focusing on new funding models and cricket’s growing participation in global multi-sport events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The CEC is expected to receive an update on the qualification pathway for the LA Olympics, where cricket will return for the first time since 1900.
Qualification pathways for upcoming ICC events will likely be reviewed, including the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup (co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia), the 2028 Men’s T20 World Cup (held in Australia and New Zealand), the 2027 Women’s Champions Trophy, and the 2029 Women’s ODI World Cup. A proposal to retain the 50-over format for the Under-19 World Cup, aimed at helping Associate members strengthen their domestic structures, will also be considered.
USA Ban
On September 23, the ICC suspended USAC with immediate effect for serious breaches, including bringing the game into disrepute and failing to meet membership criteria. USAC narrowly avoided suspension in July after committing to reforms by October 20, but instead terminated its contract with long-time partner American Cricket Enterprise (ACE) and filed for bankruptcy, citing financial restructuring. The ICC did not take this kindly.
The suspension has complicated the ICC’s collaboration with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which has warned that it will not grant National Governing Body (NGB) status to USAC in its current form, a status essential for cricket’s participation in the Los Angeles Olympics. In October, the ICC outlined steps for USAC to have its suspension lifted, stating that bankruptcy proceedings violated membership rules and urging the organisation to exit them satisfactorily. With funding frozen, the ICC has agreed to support only cricketing operations for now. USAC is expected to write to the ICC Board this week to seek clarity.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
November 05, 2025, 09:27 IST
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