ICC calls off meetings in Doha amid West Asia conflict
What's the story
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has canceled its upcoming board meetings in Doha, Qatar. The decision was made due to the ongoing military conflict in West Asia. The meetings, originally slated for March 25-27, were supposed to be attended by ICC Board Directors, Chief Executives, Committee members, and senior leadership. The crisis has also impacted cricketing operations in other countries.
Meeting format
Some meetings to be held virtually
The ICC has decided to hold some of the meetings, especially those related to the finance committee, virtually over the next few weeks. The possibility of holding in-person meetings in April is still open, but this will depend on the airspace situation at that time. The travel safety of the board and committee members will be of paramount importance.
Agenda
Agenda of the canceled meetings
The Doha meetings had to cover several important topics, including global broadcasting rights. The current deal between the ICC and JioStar runs until 2027. Other agenda items included initial discussions on the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) and Olympic qualification for LA 2028. Notably, the white-ball series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled in the UAE from March, is also likely to be postponed indefinitely due to the current situation.