KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) president Mahinda Vallipuram failed to retain his seat on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Board in a dramatic associate member directors’ election that also produced one of the biggest upsets in the governing body’s recent history, with long-serving ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja losing his place on the board.
The election, held during the ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh yesterday, saw Gurumurthy Palani of France, Mubashir Usmani of the United Arab Emirates and Dr Rudie van Vuuren of Namibia elected as associate member directors for two-year terms.
Palani topped the poll with 35 votes, while Usmani and van Vuuren secured 26 votes each. Khwaja, who had served as an associate member director for several terms and is the current ICC deputy chairman, finished fourth with 23 votes. Mahinda received 19 votes.
The result marks a significant shift in associate cricket representation on the ICC Board. While Palani and van Vuuren will serve on the board for the first time, Usmani retained his seat after completing his first two-year term as an associate member director.
Five candidates contested the biennial election, with the three successful candidates edging out incumbents Khwaja and Mahinda.
Under ICC regulations, 45 associate members are eligible to vote, but only 43 participated after USA Cricket and Cricket Canada remained suspended. Each member was entitled to cast three votes, resulting in a total of 129 votes.
ICC chairman Jay Shah congratulated the newly elected directors following the announcement of the results.
“I congratulate Palani, Usmani and van Vuuren on their election as associate member directors to the ICC Board.
“Associate members play a vital role in the continued growth and global expansion of our sport, and I look forward to working closely with them as we build on the strong progress being made across all regions,” he said.
Khwaja’s defeat is widely regarded as the biggest shock of the election.
The veteran Singaporean administrator rose to become one of associate cricket’s most influential figures, serving as ICC deputy chairman and briefly as acting ICC chairman in 2020 following the resignation of Shashank Manohar.
He also served as deputy chairman under N Srinivasan, Manohar, Greg Barclay and current chairman Shah.
With Khwaja no longer on the board, the ICC will have to appoint a new deputy chairman. One of the three newly elected associate directors is expected to be considered for the position, with a decision likely before the Edinburgh conference concludes on July 11.
Shah also paid tribute to the outgoing directors.
“I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Khwaja and Mahinda for their dedication and service to associate cricket.
“Their contribution to the ICC and to the development of the global game over many years has been significant and deeply valued. Together, we remain committed to strengthening opportunities for all members and ensuring cricket continues to grow in every corner of the world,” he added.
Palani’s election to the ICC Board has also created a vacancy on the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee, where he has served for the past year.
The ICC will now conduct a separate election to fill the remaining one year of that term. – July 9, 2026