India Pulls Out of Asia Cup 2025 Amidst Escalating Tensions with Pakistan
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to withdraw from all Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events, citing the recent escalation in India-Pakistan hostilities. According to sources, the BCCI has informed the ACC about its decision to pull out of the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month and the biennial Men’s Asia Cup in September.
The ACC is currently headed by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman. The BCCI’s decision is part of a move to isolate Pakistan cricket, with a source close to the board stating that "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."
The BCCI has verbally communicated its withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and its future participation in ACC events is also on hold. The board is in constant touch with the Indian government, which has been closely monitoring the situation. As the source noted, "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."
The BCCI’s position puts a question mark on the Men’s Asia Cup, which India was set to host in September. The tournament, featuring India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka, may now be put on hold. Sources suggest that an Asia Cup without India is not a feasible option, as most of the sponsors of international cricket events are from India. Moreover, an Asia Cup without the money-spinning India-Pakistan contest would not interest broadcasters.
In 2024, the Asia Cup rights were bagged by Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) for the next eight years for $170 million. If this edition of the tournament doesn’t take place, the deal would have to be reworked. The five full members of the ACC – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan – receive 15% each from the broadcasting revenue, while the rest is distributed among associates and affiliates.
This is not the first time that India-Pakistan tensions have impacted cricket events. The last edition of the Asia Cup in 2023 was affected by the India-Pakistan situation, with Pakistan hosting the tournament. India refused to play its matches in Pakistan, and the BCCI ensured that India played its games in Sri Lanka. For the PCB, the event proved to be a damp squib, as Pakistan failed to make it to the final and India won the title contest against Sri Lanka at Colombo.
A similar pattern was seen at the 2024 ICC Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan. India pushed for a hybrid model and played its games in Dubai. With India making it to the final – and winning the Cup – Pakistan missed its chance to host the title contest. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the global body, while the ACC was formed in 1983 to develop cricket in the sub-continent and form a powerful Asian block in world cricket.
As per The Indian Express, the development has significant implications for the cricketing world, with the ACC’s role in promoting cricket in the region being put to the test. The BCCI’s decision to pull out of ACC events is a clear indication of the impact of geopolitical tensions on sports.
The Indian Express had reported that the BCCI’s decision is a fallout of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the cricketing world adapts to the changing landscape.
The ACC’s role in promoting cricket in the region has been significant, with the body working to develop the sport in its member countries. However, with the current tensions between India and Pakistan, it seems that the cricketing world is bracing for a new reality. As reported by The Indian Express, the implications of this development will be closely watched in the coming days.
