BCCI denies withdrawing from Asia Cup amid strained bilateral ties
Cricket
Earlier reports suggested that Indian cricket board had taken decision and conveyed to PCB
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied refusing to play Asia Cup amid current tension with Pakistan.
The Indian media reported that the team would not participate in Asia Cup due to strained relations.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia denied the news, saying: “Such news [is] devoid of any truth as till now. BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC.
“At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men’s and women’s."
Hours earlier, media reported that India had decided to withdraw both its men’s and women’s cricket teams from the upcoming Asia Cup tournaments, escalating tensions in regional cricket and casting uncertainty over the Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
According to Indian media reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had formally communicated its decision to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), currently chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, citing heightened political strains following recent military actions in response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India-occupied Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
The BCCI’s decision applies not only to the Men’s Asia Cup 2025, but also the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka this June, said reports.
Tournament in Jeopardy
The Asia Cup’s viability now hangs by a thread. India remains the tournament’s biggest commercial driver, with most sponsors based in India. Without Indian participation, broadcasters and stakeholders may pull out, threatening cancellation of both men's and women's events.
Previously, in 2023, the Asia Cup was conducted under a Hybrid Model after India refused to play matches on Pakistani soil. All Indian fixtures, including the final, were shifted to Sri Lanka.
A similar arrangement was employed for the ICC Champions Trophy, where India played all its matches in Dubai, despite Pakistan officially hosting the event.
The 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, scheduled to be played in T20 format in preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup, was expected to feature Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
However, with India’s exit, the structure, sponsorship, and scheduling of the tournament are now in question.
