ICC Meetings in Dubai Set to Tackle India-Pakistan Tensions, Governance Crisis

The upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings in Dubai are poised to address significant issues impacting the global cricket landscape. Key topics include the fallout from the recent India-Pakistan matches during the Asia Cup 2025, a governance crisis within USA Cricket (USAC), and disputes regarding player image rights with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA). These matters are expected to dominate discussions during the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting on November 5 and the ICC Board meeting on November 7.

India-Pakistan Tensions and the Asia Cup Fallout

The controversy surrounding the India-Pakistan encounters at the Asia Cup continues to reverberate throughout the cricketing community. Although not formally on the agenda, the fallout from these matches is anticipated to arise during the Board discussions. The competition saw India and Pakistan face off three times, with heightened tensions reflecting the broader political climate between the nations.

During the tournament, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) adopted a no-handshake policy, further emphasizing the strained relations. Four players—Haris Rauf, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sahibzada Farhan—received reprimands from the ICC for actions deemed politically charged. The handling of the Asia Cup trophy has also become a contentious issue; India, after clinching the title, declined to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Reports indicate that the trophy remains unseen, reportedly housed in an ACC office in the UAE.

While the political undercurrents complicate matters, ICC board members recognize the financial and global significance of maintaining healthy relations between India and Pakistan. Some members express hope for a resolution during the upcoming meetings.

USA Cricket’s Governance Crisis

The governance crisis at USA Cricket has escalated, resulting in the ICC suspending USAC effective September 23, 2023, due to serious breaches, including bringing the game into disrepute and failing to meet membership criteria. This suspension follows a narrow escape in July, when USAC had committed to implementing reforms by October 20. Instead, USAC terminated its long-standing partnership with American Cricket Enterprise (ACE) and filed for bankruptcy, citing the need for financial restructuring.

The suspension complicates ICC’s collaboration with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which has signaled that it will not grant National Governing Body (NGB) status to USAC in its current form—an essential requirement for cricket’s participation in the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics. In October, the ICC outlined steps for USAC to lift its suspension, emphasizing that the bankruptcy proceedings violate membership rules. Currently, ICC funding has been frozen, with support limited to cricketing operations only. USAC is expected to reach out to the ICC Board this week for further clarification on its situation.

Ongoing Disputes Over Player Image Rights

Another pressing issue for the ICC centers on the dispute with the WCA regarding player image rights. The WCA has expressed concerns over the ICC’s plans for a cricket-based mobile and console game, claiming the organization moved forward without adequate consultation with players. In a letter to its 600 members—excluding players from India and Pakistan—the WCA accused the ICC of breaching an existing agreement regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights.

During the ICC’s annual conference in July, some members suggested that boards should negotiate directly with players concerning image rights. The WCA has countered that this approach violates prior agreements signed with the ICC. The CEC is expected to receive updates on member progress in securing their NIL rights, a critical topic in the evolving landscape of sports marketing.

The upcoming ICC meetings in Dubai represent a crucial juncture for cricket, as the governing body seeks to navigate complex issues that could shape the future of the sport. With significant discussions on the horizon, stakeholders remain attentive to developments that may arise from these high-stakes meetings.