Ind denies reports of AC withdrawal

The 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in India later this year, faces growing uncertainty following reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is planning to withdraw from the tournament due to ongoing political tensions with Pakistan.

Earlier, The Indian Express, citing sources, reported that the BCCI had informed the ACC about its decision to pull out from the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month and from the biennial Men's Asia Cup in September in a bid to "isolate Pakistan cricket."

"The Indian team can't play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister", the source said, referring to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who was appointed as the new president of the ACC last month. The outlet further quoted the source as saying that the BCCI was aware that an Asia Cup without India was not a feasible option as many of the sponsors of international cricket events were from India.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), the global governing body for cricket, did not comment on the matter.

The reported decision stems from Pakistan's leadership in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), currently headed by Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

While no formal announcement had been made initially, the BCCI has now categorically denied these rumours, according to Indian media reports.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said no decision on the upcoming Asian events was discussed by the board, nor has any communication been made to the ACC about withdrawal.

"Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI's decision not to participate in Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC's events. Such news are devoid of any truth as till now BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the upcoming ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC," Saikia said.

"At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women," he added.

"The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary. It may be said that BCCI will announce in due course as and when any discussion on any ACC events should take place or any key decision is reached," Saikia concluded.

The move is seen as a response to recent political and security developments, including heightened tensions following a attack in IIOJK and subsequent military actions.

India and Pakistan have not engaged in bilateral cricket since 2013, with encounters limited to ICC and ACC multi-nation events at neutral venues.

In 2023, a hybrid-model solution was proposed by official Asia Cup host Pakistan after the BCCI refused to tour the neighbouring country to play the tournament.

During the ICC Champions Trophy, India played their matches in Dubai after the country's government had refused to send its team to Pakistan, the original hosts of the tournament.

Earlier this month, India head coach Gautam Gambhir called for a complete halt to cricketing engagements with Pakistan at any forum, including the Asia Cup and ICC events.

The ACC has yet to issue an official response to the reported developments.