ICC Admin Who Solved India Pakistan Conflict Loses His Spot As Elections Force Major Changes

ICC Admin Loses His Spot As Elections Force [Source: AFP]

The ICC governance underwent a major overhaul as long-serving deputy chair Imran Khwaja failed to retain his place as an Associate Member Director on the ICC Board during the governing body's Annual Conference in Edinburgh.

Five candidates, Gurumurthy Palani (France), Mubashir Usmani (UAE), Rudie van Vuuren (Namibia), Imran Khwaja (Singapore), and Mahinda Vallipuram (Malaysia), contested for the three available seats.

Imran Khawaja loses ICC deputy chair role

Out of these 5 people, Palani got 35 votes, Usmani and Rudie received 26 votes, while Khawaja settled for just 24 votes, thus losing his role as deputy ICC chairman, which he held for several years.

The election was conducted among the ICC's Associate Members, with 43 nations eligible to vote after USA Cricket and Cricket Canada remained suspended.

Each voting member was entitled to cast three votes, resulting in a total of 129 votes. While Palani and Rudie van Vuuren will join the ICC Board for the first time, Usmani retains his position after serving as an Associate Member Director over the past two years.

Also Read - Jay Shah Brings India, Pakistan Together For Special ICC Mission In Sri Lanka

When Imran Khawaja solved a major India-Pakistan conflict

Having said that, Imran Khawaja was no ordinary man in the ICC. He served on the ICC Board for many years as the Associate Members' representative and as deputy chairman.

He also served as acting ICC Chair in 2020 after Shashank Manohar stepped down. Imran worked under multiple ICC chairmen, including N. Srinivasan, Shashank Manohar, Greg Barclay and current chairman Jay Shah. 

Interestingly, Imran Khawaja played a key role in addressing the India-Pakistan deadlock during the Asia Cup 2025. PCB and ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi took away the winners' trophy from India after the players refused to collect it from him. 

Not only that, but even when the handshake drama erupted, Naqvi threatened to boycott a game, and his antics completely ruined the tournament. Hence, the Jay Shaha-led ICC sent Imran Khawaja to have a dialogue with Naqvi and pacify him so that the event ran smoothly.

Where is the Asia Cup trophy now?

Meanwhile, the Asia Cup 2025 trophy controversy still stands unsolved. Jay Shah’s ICC and ACC held several meetings to convince Mohsin Naqvi that he was in illegal possession of the trophy.

Even though he is the ACC chairman, the PCB head has the right to confiscate a trophy. However, Naqvi remains defiant and unmoved despite criticism. He has only one condition that if India wants their title, it must collect it from his hands.

The issue has run back and forth, but a solution has yet to be reached. Moreover, the BCCI also earlier promised to resolve the crisis and bring the trophy home, but even they have been unable to tackle a stubborn Mohsin Naqvi. Notably, the BCCI has again asked the ACC to return the trophy, but there is no response. 

Also Read - Asia Cup 2027 Dates Out; Bangladesh To Continue As Host