Jay Shah, the newly appointed ICC Chairman, has resigned from his position as President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The ACC has announced Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), as his successor, and Silva has already taken on his new role.
Silva expressed his excitement upon being appointed to the top role and emphasized his commitment to elevating the game with the support of other cricket boards in Asia.
"It is a great honor to lead the Asian Cricket Council. Cricket is the heartbeat of Asia, and I look forward to working closely with all member nations to elevate the game, provide opportunities for emerging talent, and strengthen the bonds that unite us through this beautiful sport," Silva said according to the official release by ACC.
Silva also extended his gratitude to the outgoing president Jay Shah for his contribution to growing cricket in Asia during his tenure. For the unversed, Shah became the ACC president in January 2021 and his term was extended in January earlier this year. "Under Mr. Shah’s stewardship, the ACC achieved remarkable milestones, including the successfully achieving highest value for its commercial rights of ACC Asia Cup tournaments for 2024–31, the introduction of a new pathway events structure, and the continued development and growth of cricket across its member nations", the statement from ACC read.
Shammi Silva's primary challenge as ACC President will be ensuring that the Asia Cup in India and Pakistan takes place without any controversy. The ICC Champions Trophy is currently set to be held in Pakistan, but with India refusing to travel, a hybrid model has reportedly been finalized after much difficulty. A similar situation may arise for future Asia Cup tournaments, and Silva will need to manage this challenge with care.