ICC suspends USA Cricket’s membership [Update@ Post 252]

[Cricket Warrior]

USA Cricket Head Coach Stuart Law Sacked For Discrimination Against Indian-Origin Players: Report

According to a report in Cricbuzz on Saturday, the reason for Law’s dismissal is allegations of discrimination, mistrust, and favouritism for a certain set of players levelled by 7-8 senior players, most of whom are of Indian origin, including the captain, Monank Patel. The decision comes on the back of a formal investigation instituted by the USA cricket board after the Netherlands tour in August 2024.

As per multiple sources, the relationship between the players and head coach became sour after a number of incidents during the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Netherlands tour.

According to Cricbuzz, in a letter penned by the players, they alleged how ‘his malicious outlook towards a few players has brought the team environment to its lowest ebb’. The letter further alleged how ‘he infused an air of mistrust amongst team members through his lies and deceit’. It also claimed that the ‘discriminatory tactics’ against a group of players left the players ‘alienated and completely demoralised’.

USA Cricket Head Coach Stuart Law Sacked For Discrimination Against Indian-Origin Players: Report

56-year-old Law, who was appointed as the USA men's cricket team head coach in April 2024, was relieved from his duties on Friday.

www.news18.com

 

[sweep_shot]

USA Cricket Head Coach Stuart Law Sacked For Discrimination Against Indian-Origin Players: Report

According to a report in Cricbuzz on Saturday, the reason for Law’s dismissal is allegations of discrimination, mistrust, and favouritism for a certain set of players levelled by 7-8 senior players, most of whom are of Indian origin, including the captain, Monank Patel. The decision comes on the back of a formal investigation instituted by the USA cricket board after the Netherlands tour in August 2024.

As per multiple sources, the relationship between the players and head coach became sour after a number of incidents during the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Netherlands tour.

According to Cricbuzz, in a letter penned by the players, they alleged how ‘his malicious outlook towards a few players has brought the team environment to its lowest ebb’. The letter further alleged how ‘he infused an air of mistrust amongst team members through his lies and deceit’. It also claimed that the ‘discriminatory tactics’ against a group of players left the players ‘alienated and completely demoralised’.

USA Cricket Head Coach Stuart Law Sacked For Discrimination Against Indian-Origin Players: Report

56-year-old Law, who was appointed as the USA men's cricket team head coach in April 2024, was relieved from his duties on Friday.

www.news18.com

LOL. These Indians probably want 11 Indians to represent USA team.

Law was the coach of Bangladesh before and he was a lovely bloke. I don't think he is a racist.

Law should go for lawsuit.

 

[deltexas]

LOL. These Indians probably want 11 Indians to represent USA team.

Law was the coach of Bangladesh before and he was a lovely bloke. I don't think he is a racist.

Law should go for lawsuit.

And the report itself is masala news. It was not Ind players , it was other players as well. And its just a fact that a majority of USA team is Ind "origin" players, but we never see it that way. Whatever they origin they may be - Ind Pak Ban WI etc etc - dont care - they are a USA player now.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi meets CEO USA Cricket Johnathan Atkeison

Washington, 28 January 2025:

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi met United States of America (USA) Cricket’s Chief Executive Officer Johnathan Atkeison in Washington. Chief Executive Officer Pakistan Super League (PSL), Salman Naseer was also present in the meeting.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi and CEO USA Cricket discussed possibilities of a tri-series between Pakistan, Canada and USA. Discussions regarding arrangement of bilateral series between Pakistan and USA men’s and women’s cricket teams also took place.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi assured USA Cricket CEO of all the possible support on the players development front. Chairman PCB said that PCB is ready to provide full support for the promotion of cricket in the USA.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi offered to train USA’ cricket coaches in Pakistan. He also invited Johnathan Atkeison to visit Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi said that there are immense opportunities for the promotion of cricket between Pakistan and USA. The CEO of USA Cricket thanked Chairman PCB for the invitation to the Champions Trophy.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Former Sri Lanka player earns second stint as USA coach

USA announce Pubudu Dassanayake will return as head coach of their men's team.

Former Sri Lanka and Canada international Pubudu Dassanayake has been appointed as the new head coach of USA's men's team.

Dassanayake replaces Stuart Law in the top job, after the former Australia batter left the position towards the end of last year after leading the side in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup they co-hosted with the West Indies.

It is the second time Dassanayake has held the role as head coach with the USA, with the 54-year-old having previously enjoyed a three-year stint in charge from 2016-2019.

During that time Dassanayake helped the USA win their ODI status and establish themselves as a growing nation within the cricketing landscape.

Re-live the thrilling final moments of USA's memorable victory over Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup

Dassanayake has since held head coaching jobs with Nepal and Canada and helped the latter to their first T20 World Cup appearance last year in the USA and West Indies.

With the USA already qualified for next year's T20 World Cup in India, Dassanayake is looking forward to leading the side in another global tournament and building on the platform he helped establish last decade.

“It’s an honour to return and lead the USA Men’s National Team," Dassanayake said.

"I’m proud of what we accomplished during my previous time here, and I see tremendous potential in this group to reach even greater heights.

"I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to continue building something meaningful for USA Cricket.”

Dassanayake played 11 Tests and 16 ODIs for Sri Lanka towards the end of last century, before moving to Canada and playing in their national side at the end of his playing career.

ICC

 

[The Bald Eagle]

As per some reports ICC has told USA Cricket board members to resign or face removal at the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore next month

A USA Cricket board member claimed his term expired in 2024, not 2023. When questioned why he hadn’t resigned despite the term expiry, he cited Colorado non-profit law allowing board members to continue serving past their term if no elections occur. Resigning en masse would leave the board empty, leaving American cricket without governance.

T20 Series Negotiations: The board member revealed that USA Cricket has not arranged any T20 series against Full Member teams since the last T20 World Cup in June 2024. The strategy is to wait until the USA team’s group stage location (India or Sri Lanka) for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup is confirmed before planning matches or squad composition. This means no preparation matches are scheduled despite the World Cup being less than six months away.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

I think there have been way too many erratic signings of either below international quality players that have been signed by US Cricket or those who are well past their playing career (Plunkett).
One sensible signing has been Hassan Khan from Pakistan. Should be in his prime atm (27y), Has domestic experience to his name. Can bat, can bowl. Don't think likes of Saif Badar, Ehsan Adil, Nauman Anwar etc are going to be of much use for US Cricket.
So who are the other ones?

 

[sweep_shot]

Cricket in USA is in trouble:

 

[Ball Blazer]

ACE Commences Legal Proceedings Against USA Cricket​

American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) today filed legal proceedings against USA Cricket (USAC) regarding its improper termination of the ACE agreement and is extremely disappointed with USAC’s continued bad faith conduct and governance failures.

USAC’s Improper Termination of the ACE Agreement, Which USAC Suspended and Then Reinstated.
For over six years, ACE has performed its agreement with USAC and successfully developed cricket in the United States, despite the continued flaws and dysfunction of the USAC Board. ACE has committed unparalleled resources into establishing Major League Cricket (MLC) and Minor League Cricket (MiLC) and funding USAC and the USA National Teams — forming the backbone of U.S. cricket.

Despite ACE’s work and successes, on August 21, 2025, USAC wrongfully terminated its agreement with ACE on manufactured grounds and publicly announced that decision. Just seven days later, USAC seemingly realized the baselessness of its termination and suspended it. While USAC agreed that the parties’ agreement would be in full force and effect during the suspension period, USAC refused to issue a joint statement with ACE informing the cricket community and stakeholders of the true status. USAC then unilaterally reinstated its original termination, effective today, without holding any meaningful discussions directly with ACE.

Specific USAC Directors are Prioritizing Personal and Political Interests over Cricket.
USAC’s handling of the ACE agreement has been chaotic and reckless. It is emblematic of USAC’s bad faith. A small group of USAC directors have chosen to prioritize politics rather than preparing teams that can build on their recent successes. Their conduct is especially egregious because it occurred on the eve of the MiLC season, the leading development league in the US, and less than six months out from three important ICC World Cups in early 2026 (U19, Men’s T20 & Women’s T20 Qualifiers). By terminating their relationship with ACE, USAC is showing complete disregard for these national and youth team players, as well as the millions of cricket fans in the U.S. who just enjoyed a record-breaking season of MLC and saw the U.S. Men’s team reach the Super8s in the T20 World Cup in 2024. These actions have jeopardized ACE’s significant investments into U.S. cricket over the last six years, as well as the continued success of cricket in the U.S.

ACE Forced to Act to Protect U.S. Cricket
USAC’s wrongful conduct cannot go unanswered, so today, ACE filed legal proceedings against USAC regarding its improper termination of the ACE agreement. ACE will now do whatever it takes to vindicate its rights and safeguard the future of U.S. cricket that it has helped to build.

ACE and its partners have invested over $150 million since 2019 in MLC and MiLC, world-class stadiums and facilities, and pathways for American players to succeed on the global stage. Despite these efforts, USA Cricket (USAC) has once again demonstrated reckless governance and bad faith conduct that undermines the sport of cricket and communities that USAC claims to serve.

ACE Commences Legal Proceedings Against USA Cricket

American Cricket Enterprises files legal action against USA Cricket after termination of agreement. ACE accuses USAC of bad faith, endangering U.S. cricket.

www.cricexec.com

 

[Ball Blazer]

USA Cricket issues statement on MLC parent ACE’s lawsuit following USA Cricket’s termination of their commercial agreement​

USA Cricket has issued an official response to recent comments from American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) following the termination of their commercial agreement, and a court ruling denying ACE’s motion to prevent the termination.

On Thursday, a federal judge in Boulder denied ACE’s request for a Temporary Restraining Order that would have blocked USA Cricket from ending the commercial agreement. ACE, which owns and operates Major League Cricket (MLC), had sued USA Cricket following the breakdown of negotiations between the two parties.

Details of the terminated ACE agreement​

The agreement between USA Cricket and ACE, established in 2019, granted ACE expansive rights that went far beyond simply operating Major and Minor League Cricket. USA Cricket now asserts that the deal:

• Was negotiated under questionable governance conditions involving an ACE insider on USA Cricket’s Board
• Granted ACE significant control over USA Cricket’s finances and operational activities
• Prevented USA Cricket from pursuing sponsorship, broadcast, and partnership opportunities with other organizations

Why USA Cricket terminated the ACE deal​

USA Cricket stated that ACE had consistently failed to meet key contractual obligations over several years, including:

• Failing to provide financial support to national team programs
• Not delivering promised cricket infrastructure projects
• Neglecting commitments to proper governance and transparency

USA Cricket issued multiple breach notices to ACE and attempted to resolve the issues in good faith, including participating in a mutual standdown at ACE’s request. However, according to USA Cricket, ACE used the standdown period to promote MLC’s 2026 season instead of engaging in meaningful negotiations.

Response to ACE’s lawsuit and claims​

ACE claims it remained compliant with the agreement and that USA Cricket’s termination damages the national team and the sport. USA Cricket firmly denies this narrative, stating the termination was:

• Based on documented, repeated breaches
• Made to protect the sport’s integrity in the United States

USA Cricket referenced the court’s response to ACE’s motion, noting the judge stated:

“While the contract grants ACE ‘exclusive rights to develop and commercialize’ the National Teams, ACE does not own or manage them… To the extent it is a voluntary reaction by ACE to USA Cricket’s termination of the contract, courts generally ‘do not consider a self-inflicted harm to be irreparable.’”

Looking ahead: commitment to growth and governance​

USA Cricket emphasized that its primary mission is to grow the game at every level — from grassroots to national teams — while adhering to strong governance standards. The organization is actively working with domestic stakeholders, the International Cricket Council (ICC), and other partners to ensure stability and progress within U.S. cricket.

“This was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary one,” the statement concluded. “Our focus now is on the future — building trust, supporting our players and members, and creating a strong foundation for cricket to succeed in America.”

USA Cricket issues statement on MLC parent ACE's lawsuit following USA Cricket's termination of their commercial agreement

USA Cricket explains decision to terminate ACE agreement after court denies restraining order. Organization cites governance concerns and unmet obligations.

www.cricexec.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

The International Cricket Council has suspended USA Cricket’s membership, as it builds safeguards to protect athletes and the sport’s Olympic aspirations.

The measures were announced in a media statement, issued on 23 September, which can be read in full below and here.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), after a thorough review of affairs and extensive engagement with key stakeholders over the past year, today confirmed the suspension of ICC membership status of USA Cricket, with immediate effect.

The decision, taken by the ICC Board during its meeting earlier, was based on USA Cricket’s repeated and continued breaches of its obligations as a ICC Member under the ICC’s Constitution. These include, but are not limited to, the failure to implement a functional governance structure, lack of progress toward achieving National Governing Body status with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and significant actions that have caused reputational damage to cricket in the United States and around the world.

The suspension is an unfortunate but necessary step to protect the long-term interests of the game and the ICC’s top priority remains ensuring that the athletes and the sport itself are not impacted due to the suspension. The ICC Board has decided that USA’s national teams will retain their right to participate in ICC events, including preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games (LA28).

The management and administration of USA national teams will temporarily be overseen by the ICC and/or its designated representatives to ensure continued support for the players and maintain momentum towards Olympic inclusion. This approach reflects the ICC’s firm commitment to upholding the best interests of cricketers in the USA and the sustenance of a High-performance & Player development program which will seek to elevate the stature and capabilities of players representing USA.

The ICC Normalisation Committee, supported by the ICC management, will outline the steps required for the suspension on USA Cricket to lifted and its membership rights restored. These will include demonstrable and specific changes to USA Cricket’s governance structure, operations and overall status in the Cricket ecosystem. The normalization committee will also monitor USA Cricket’s progress and provide consultatory support.

The ICC remains committed to supporting the growth of cricket in the United States, protect the sporting ecosystem and its constituents, namely the athletes and bolstering its march towards a more significant role on the global stage.

For information: USA Cricket was placed ‘on notice’ at the 2024 ICC Annual General Meeting for non-compliance with ICC Membership Criteria and given 12 months to remedy that non-compliance. On account of continued non-compliance with the ICC Membership Criteria, USA Cricket was to be considered for suspension at the 2025 AGM. It was only because of a representation made to the ICC normalization committee by USA Cricket and commitments made thereafter to the ICC Board in July, that the ICC Membership voted to keep them ‘on notice’. When USAC was notified of the AGM’s decision, it was specifically advised in writing that, along with fulfilling the commitments it made to the Board and taking immediate steps in that respect, it must (i) not do/omit to do anything that might jeopardise cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics, and (ii) not do anything (by act or omission) that brings cricket or the ICC into disrepute or is contrary to the best interests of cricket or the ICC.

ICC suspends USA Cricket’s membership | ICC

The International Cricket Council has suspended USA Cricket’s membership, as it builds safeguards to protect athletes and the sport’s Olympic aspirations.

www.icc-cricket.com

 

[Rana]

Yoooooo


Essssss


Aaaaaay

 

[sweep_shot]

LOL. What's going on?

It is shameful how a western country's cricket team has been reduced to this. America's other sports are run much more professionally.

Canada also has issues but Canada was never suspended like this.

 

[Vikram1989]

So how this will effect olympics qualification? I guess windies /one of their island will make it as continental qualifier.Wi will be very happy with this decision.nz, pak ,afg, bng, lanka will have to battle it out for last place .no reprive for them .

 

[Major]

LOL. What's going on?

It is shameful how a western country's cricket team has been reduced to this. America's other sports are run much more professionally.

Canada also has issues but Canada was never suspended like this.

Basically a group of indians control usa cricket and they have just ruined it.

They do their politics and have removed coaches and players.

Few years ago USA cricket had a vision where they started giving visas to pakistani and indian players and residency to represent them. But than the indian expats that run the show started doing politics and have ruined the whole team

 

[sweep_shot]

Basically a group of indians control usa cricket and they have just ruined it.

They do their politics and have removed coaches and players.

Few years ago USA cricket had a vision where they started giving visas to pakistani and indian players and residency to represent them. But than the indian expats that run the show started doing politics and have ruined the whole team

Yeah. That's what it seems like.

It is a shame.

 

[light]

LOL. What's going on?

It is shameful how a western country's cricket team has been reduced to this. America's other sports are run much more professionally.

Canada also has issues but Canada was never suspended like this.

Take a guess why its being run like this? Just look at the people running it and it will tell you a picture. canada cricket isn't any better either - we pay so much and yet they steal money left and right, fields are like a mine field

 

[sweep_shot]

Take a guess why its being run like this? Just look at the people running it and it will tell you a picture. canada cricket isn't any better either - we pay so much and yet they steal money left and right, fields are like a mine field

I used to play league cricket in Canada. I have played in TDCA, Scarborough league, and B-EDCL league.

I don't think Canada's situation is as bad as USA's. Canada was never suspended like this. They are also not in danger of suspension.

 

[light]

I used to play league cricket in Canada. I have played in TDCA, Scarborough league, and B-EDCL league.

I don't think Canada's situation is as bad as USA's. Canada was never suspended like this. They are also not in danger of suspension.

Toronto is a bit better but bro pass by the montreal field, QCF if shameless.

 

[sweep_shot]

Toronto is a bit better but bro pass by the montreal field, QCF if shameless.

I don't know how it is now. But, when I was playing (2010-2015), all the national players were coming from GTA. I used to play in TDCA and national Canadian players also used to play in that same league. I was 4-5 levels below them and I never faced them (we had 5-6 divisions at that time).

I don't think Montreal is a major city for cricket. Not sure if anyone from there makes it to national team. They are probably not relevant as far as Canadian cricket goes.

I don't think Canada's situation is as bad as USA's. USA literally got suspended by ICC.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

USA Cricket files for bankruptcy minutes before hearing vs ACE

USA Cricket (USAC) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday, shortly before its scheduled preliminary-injunction hearing in its dispute with American Cricket Enterprises (ACE). Cricbuzz broke the news yesterday that the board, led by chairman Venu Pisike, was considering the move. The Chapter 11 filing by USA Cricket is the first known instance globally of an ICC member body declaring bankruptcy.

In the Colorado case brought by ACE against USAC, USAC's counsel simultaneously notified the court of the bankruptcy just minutes before the hearing was set to begin, a step that pauses the hearings.

ACE condemned the act and the timing. "USAC could not bear for the preliminary injunction hearing to even begin, and knew the result was a forgone conclusion: it had no basis to terminate the parties' agreement and was recklessly imperiling the success of cricket in the U.S. USAC has zero regard for the best interests of cricket and its players, and is only motivated by politics and its directors' personal agendas", stated an ACE representative.

The bankruptcy schedules provide a first look at USAC's finances: bank cash, accounts receivable, office equipment, and other small assets are listed, while the unsecured claims total just over half a million dollars. The executory-contracts schedule specifically lists current player contracts - including several senior internationals - with stated end dates of December 31, 2025, indicating those deals are now subject to Chapter 11 treatment along with USAC's other obligations.

It is also understood that ACE offered to continue making payments under its agreement, if USAC accepted a voluntary preliminary injunction. This would allow the ACE-USAC agreement to proceed towards its arbitration, while keeping payments flowing from ACE to USAC and ACE maintaining its rights in the interim. USAC did not accept the proposal. The USAC Board also refused to resign, as requested repeatedly by the ICC and USOPC, to enable smooth passage for governance reforms and reinstatement of cash flows from the ICC.

Wednesday's filing follows the governance turmoil reported by Cricbuzz on Tuesday that Board Director Anj Balasu was recalled and the board was considering bankruptcy as a means to create leverage over the ICC. It remains unclear whether Anj Balasu voted in the USAC board decision to declare bankruptcy.

What comes next remains uncertain. For players, this is a concerning outcome, as payments under those contracts could be delayed or renegotiated, and will now be in the hands of the court. The injunction fight with ACE will pause pending USAC's bankruptcy proceedings, which shift key decisions from the Colorado court to the federal bankruptcy court.

https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/135800/usa-cricket-files-for-bankruptcy-minutes-before-hearing-vs-ace

 

[Cricket Warrior]

USA Cricket directors ask ICC to investigate organisation's collapse

Directors from an embattled USA Cricket (USAC) board have called for the ICC's immediate intervention to remove a rival group of directors, including the chair Venu Pisike, as the fallout and divide from the board's suspension continues to deepen. They have also asked the ICC to conduct an investigation into the organisation's "collapse."

In a statement issued on Tuesday by two current directors, Arjun Rao Gona and Kuljit Singh Nijjar, and Patricia Whittaker, who was removed by USAC last year as an independent director (she is legally contesting the termination), have also asked the ICC to conduct a forensic audit of USAC dealings and make the findings public. Gona and Nijjar are elected directors.

"We call for immediate and decisive intervention not to punish, but to rebuild what has been broken," the trio said in the statement. "This is no longer a crisis of management; it is a test of integrity and courage." The directors' statement follows USAC's media release last week, where the board complained it could not "comprehend" the ICC's decision on September 23 to suspend it.

Pisike chaired a USAC Board meeting on October 1, after which USAC said it was filing for bankruptcy as part of a financial restructure. That decision was taken by five directors, including Pisike, Srini Salver, David Haubert, Pintoo Shah and Anj Balusu (USAC currently has nine directors after Whittaker's exit). Four directors at that meeting - Gona, Nijjar, Nadia Gruny and Atul Rai - exited in protest.

In a statement of his own issued on Tuesday, Rai said USAC's public statement to its members on Friday was "not authorised by the Board" while alleging it was "clearly an abuse of power and authority."

The ICC Board decided to suspend USAC, citing "repeated and continued breaches of its obligation" as a member. The ICC's major concern will be if the cycle of events since then could affect USAC securing NGB (National Governing Body) status from the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), necessary for all sports that are part of the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The ICC's Normalisation Committee drew up a six-step roadmap for that, starting with an organisational revamp of USAC where three new independent directors replace the existing Board, which would step down and pave the way for fresh elections. The ICC would simultaneously carry out a comprehensive review of the USAC constitution to bring governance and structural reforms to a body enmeshed in controversies since 2019 when it was awarded Associate status.

Gona, Nijjar and Whittaker want the Normalisation Committee to take control of USAC immediately and "go beyond administrative control and conduct a full, independent investigation into the root causes of USA Cricket's collapse, identifying every act of constitutional breach, misuse of authority, and conflict of interest."

The three have also suggested appointing five new independent directors once the USAC constitution has been amended.

"Conduct a full forensic audit of all financial transactions, contracts, appointments, and legal decisions taken under the current regime, and publish the findings to the public to restore trust, confidence and transparency.

"Safeguard players, competitions, and development programs during this transition, ensuring that athletes and fans do not suffer for failures of leadership."

USA Cricket directors ask ICC to investigate organisation's collapse

Directors from USAC called for "immediate and decisive intervention not to punish, but to rebuild what has been broken" | ESPN.in

www.espn.in