India-Pak sour ties: India might pull out of Asia Cup cricket
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New Delhi: Due to the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to skip the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup and even pull out from the Men’s Asia Cup. It is to be noted that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is currently headed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister in the country’s central government, IANS reported.
The development leaves the future of the men’s Asia Cup in serious jeopardy. As of now, India has the hosting rights for the Men’s Asia Cup, which is set to happen in September of this year in T20 format. Apart from India and Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Oman were to be a part of the tournament.
According to The Indian Express report, the BCCI has informed the ACC about the decision to withdraw from both events happening in June and September, respectively.
India is the defending champion of the men's Asia Cup, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo. That event was also affected by India-Pakistan tensions. Originally set to be hosted entirely by Pakistan, the 2023 Men’s Asia Cup was held in a hybrid model after India refused to travel there and had all its matches shifted to Sri Lanka.
This hybrid model was again replayed for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy – the tournament was to be played entirely in Pakistan. But India pushing for a hybrid model meant all of its games were played in Dubai.
An Asia Cup without India will also be a dampener for broadcasters Sony Sports Network, which signed a deal for all ACC tournaments from 2024 to 2031 in November last year.
