After escalating tensions between India and Pakistan earlier, the BCCI put the Indian Premier League on hold for a week, and now, in the recent development around the game, many reports claim that the BCCI has withdrawn from the Asia Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has informed the Asian Cricket Council of its decision to stay away from the matches that will involve India and Pakistan’s participation in the event.
As per reports, following Operation Sindoor, the BCCI has expressed its decision to withdraw participation from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month and from the biennial Men’s Asia Cup in September 2025. BCCI has also decided that India will not play or host the Asia Cup 2025 amidst the tensions with the neighbouring country, Pakistan. This move is believed to be an expression of the Indian way of isolating Pakistan Cricket.
Sources said the decision is part of a move to isolate Pakistan cricket. “The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” said a BCCI source.
As of now, as per sources, the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup has been called off, and the decision on the Men’s Asia Cup is likely to be made in the upcoming ACC meeting, headed by Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB Chairman. However, with India being firm on their decision not to play against Pakistan or even host the tournament, the event is likely to be called off.
NO Asia Cup 2025, if India exits
Without India’s participation, the tournament won’t have anything to look forward to. As most of the sponsors of the event are from India and without the Indian team participating, the tournament will struggle with new sponsors and financial problems. Indian sponsors and broadcasters, especially SPNI, play a major role in funding the Asia Cup. With media rights worth USD 170 million, the 2024 edition was set for a 19-day window featuring at least two India-Pakistan matches, aiming to generate high advertising revenue.
The five full members of the ACC — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan — get 15 per cent each from the broadcasting revenue, while the rest is distributed among associates and affiliates. BCCI is aware that an Asia cup without India is not a feasible option, and it seems like they have baited on the same.
