The Asian Cricket Foundation (ACF) was launched in Dhaka vrslrrdav with pledges to combat linamial crimes in the game and ensure (he welfare of regional players. report agencies.

A nine-member committee was formed at a meeting to raise funds for the development of cricket in Asia

The committee will start functioning after getting approval ol the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), scheduled to meet later this month in London during the ICC annual general meeting.

The main task of (he organisation will be management of events, marketing and human welfare

The meeting aft the Hotel Sheraton Inducted four Cricket Board presidents of India. Sri Lanka. Bangladesh and (he Unii< d Arab Emirates in addition io a five member commlt-t<< formed In Its first meeting in Sharjah

Jagmohan Dalmfya. who completes his tenure as ICC president this month, has been named the president of the foundation.

The meeting decided that the ACF chairman's reign would be fixed to four years afler expiry of the term of the first chief executive (Dalmlya)." the ACC chief said. He said the foundation would raise funds through marketing drives and try to ensure welfare of Asian c rl< keters The chief executive of ACC would guide the foundation In case of any emergency, he added.

Other members of Hie ACF are ACC president and presldent of Pakistan Cricket Board Lt Gen Tauqir Zia. vice president of the Emirates Cricket Board Abdur Rahman Bukhatlr. former Pakistani captain Asif Iqbal and Bangladesh Cricket Board general secretary Syed Ashraful Haq.

The ACF will get 64 per cent of the ICC Development Fund However they will demand 50 per cent it Bangladesh get the Test status.

Dalimya. who came here on Sunday afternoon, left the capital yesterday afternoon after attending the meeting.

Apart from Dalmiya. the meeting was attended by Zia. Bukhatlr. Asif Iqbal and Syed Ashraful Haq Chairman of ICC Finance and Marketing Committee Ehsan Mani <4 Pakistan was also present.