BCCI Withdraws from Asia Cup 2025 Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions
NEW DELHI – In a major blow to regional cricketing ties, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly withdrawn from the Asia Cup 2025, citing worsening political tensions with Pakistan and objections over the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) being chaired by Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
The development, first reported by Indian media outlets, comes amid renewed hostilities along the India-Pakistan border, further eroding prospects for bilateral or multilateral cricketing collaboration between the two arch-rivals.
BCCI Confirms Decision to ACC
A senior official from the Indian cricket board confirmed the move, stating:
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistani minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation.”
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The BCCI has verbally informed the ACC of its decision to pull out of the Asia Cup 2025 as well as the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month. “We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” the official added, indicating that future participation in ACC-led events is on hold indefinitely.
Impact on Tournament’s Viability
The Asia Cup 2025, which was originally scheduled to be hosted in India, now faces uncertainty amid India’s withdrawal. The lack of a marquee India-Pakistan clash—a major commercial and broadcast attraction—could significantly impact the tournament’s financial viability.
The rivalry between the two nations is often the highest-rated fixture in Asian cricket, driving viewership across the subcontinent and attracting major sponsorships. Without India’s participation, the event risks losing key commercial support and regional audience engagement.
Backdrop of Political Tensions
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since 2012, limiting their encounters to global and regional tournaments such as the ICC World Cup and Asia Cup. While previous editions were held under hybrid models to accommodate political sensitivities—like the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played all its matches in Sri Lanka—current escalations appear to have disrupted even this arrangement.
India’s withdrawal is being seen as part of a broader strategy to isolate Pakistan from regional cricketing platforms, especially with Mohsin Naqvi now at the helm of the ACC following Jay Shah’s appointment as ICC Chairman.
What’s Next for the ACC?
The ACC now faces a difficult path ahead. With its most influential member withdrawing, Mohsin Naqvi will have to navigate a potential restructuring or postponement of the Asia Cup 2025. The council must also evaluate whether the tournament can proceed without its most bankable team or whether alternative hosting and participation models need to be considered.
