Asia Cup 2025 in Jeopardy as India Pulls Out Citing Political Tensions with Pakistan
The much-anticipated Asia Cup 2025 is facing an uncertain future following a major setback — India’s withdrawal from the tournament. The event, set to be played in the T20 format ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, was scheduled to host top Asian cricketing nations including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
According to reliable sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has verbally informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its decision to pull out from both the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, citing the prevailing political tensions between India and Pakistan.
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“Team India can’t compete in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose head is a Pakistan minister. We have to respect the sentiments of our people. We have verbally communicated to the ACC about our decision to pull out from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup and other events.”
The current ACC chairman, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, received the notification amid growing diplomatic tensions. The situation intensified following reports of missile attacks by India on Pakistani territory — a development that has escalated the political divide and impacted sporting ties.
This decision is a significant blow to the tournament’s viability. With India not only being one of the strongest teams but also the primary source of sponsorship and broadcasting revenues, the ACC may be forced to consider postponement or cancellation. Most sponsors are Indian companies, making the event’s financial sustainability questionable without India’s participation.
The 2023 Asia Cup, hosted under a hybrid model by Pakistan, saw India crowned champions after defeating Sri Lanka in the final. Due to similar tensions, India had played all its matches in Sri Lanka. A comparable arrangement was planned for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where India was expected to play its games in Dubai.
With the Asia Cup 2025 now under a cloud, cricket fans across the region are left waiting to see how the ACC navigates this diplomatic and logistical crisis.
