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According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to withdraw from the 2025 Asia Cup, which was initially scheduled to take place in India this September. Growing tensions with Pakistan, the current president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), are consider to be the driving force behind the decision.
Concerns over ACC Leadership under PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi: At the heart of the issue is Pakistan's role in leading the ACC, with Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister and the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), acting as its head. According to Indian media reports, BCCI has verbally communicated to the ACC that it will not participate in tournaments led by a Pakistani official, citing national sentiment and security concerns.
A senior BCCI official reportedly told local media, "The India cricket team can't play in a tournament that is organized by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister. That's the sentiment of the nation."
India's Participation in ACC Events Now in Jeopardy: The BCCI's reservations are not limited to the men's Asia Cup. Reports suggest that India has also pulled out of the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka in June 2025. Additionally, the BCCI has reportedly put all future ACC event participation on hold, pending clearance and further direction from the Indian government.
An insider from the board revealed that they have officially informed the ACC about their decision to withdraw from the upcoming Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup. Furthermore, their involvement in future ACC events is currently paused. They also mentioned ongoing communications with the Indian government regarding the situation.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2013. All recent encounters between the two cricketing giants have been confined to ICC and ACC multi-nation events at neutral venues. The current Asia Cup champions, India, have previously refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and preferring to play in Dubai instead in Pakistan.
No Official Word Yet from ACC: While the news has sparked widespread debate in the cricketing world, the ACC has yet to release an official statement addressing India's reported withdrawal. Fans and experts are waiting for the Indian government and BCCI to make an official decision and that decision is expected to happen in the next few days.
