THE vexed issues of mobile gaming rights and the format of the Under-19 World Cup are expected to dominate discussions at the ICC’s quarterly meetings, scheduled from November 4 to 7 in Dubai.
The Chief Executive Committee (CEC), which will meet on November 5, will particularly deliberate on ways to address players’ imaging rights in mobile gaming, amid resistance from the World Cricketers Association (WCA).
As first reported by Cricbuzz on August 2, the ICC intends not to involve the WCA in its bid to create a mobile gaming platform, contending that the imaging rights of the players are with their respective boards.
But there is a tricky situation with regard to the retired players and this will be discussed during the meetings.
The CEC will deliberate on whether to have a 50-over or Twenty20 format for the Under 19 World Cup. The conflict here is between full and associate members
While the full members insist on continuing with the One-Day format, the Associates demand that the Junior World Cups be played in T20 format. Sixteen teams, including four associates – Japan, Tanzania, USA and Scotland – have qualified for next year’s Under 19 World Cup to be hosted jointly by Zimbabwe and Namibia. The next edition will be in the 50-over format.

Sanjog Gupta, the new CEO of the ICC, is expected to make a presentation on strategy for the ICC going forward and there will also be a discussion of inclusion of cricket in multi-sport events – apart from the Olympics, all the continental championships, including the PanAm and South American Games.
The CEC will also debate on the next cycle of the FTP and will review the results of introduction of the stop-clock in Test cricket. The ICC is also understood to be contemplating a pathway for match officials – umpires and match referees – at the Associate level and the CEC is expected to be briefed about it.

The ICC is also expected to take up the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) representation, if submitted, regarding the Asia Cup trophy controversy. However, that matter is likely to be addressed at the ICC Board level. The BCCI has made it clear that it will escalate the issue to the ICC if PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), fails to resolve the deadlock and hand over the silverware to India.

There is, however, a question mark over Naqvi’s attendance at the ICC meetings, given his record of skipping the meetings, including the Annual Conference. (Cricbuzz)