The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, signaling a deepening rift in regional cricket relations with Pakistan. The decision follows rising border tensions and a worsening political climate between the two nations.
According to Indian media reports, the BCCI’s stance is rooted in concerns over the ACC’s current leadership, which is chaired by Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. A senior BCCI official stated that national sentiment does not support participation in a tournament led by a Pakistani minister. As a result, India has also backed out of the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup scheduled in Sri Lanka next month.
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The Asia Cup 2025, which was set to be hosted in India, now faces an uncertain future. With the iconic India-Pakistan clash off the table, the tournament’s commercial appeal—often fueled by this high-stakes rivalry—has been significantly diminished, raising questions about sponsor interest and viewership.
This move marks a continuation of India’s strategy to distance itself from cricketing engagements involving Pakistan. Although the two teams have met in multi-nation tournaments in recent years, there have been no bilateral series since 2012. The last Asia Cup was held under a hybrid model, enabling India to avoid traveling to Pakistan, and ultimately saw India lifting the trophy.
The BCCI’s withdrawal poses a serious challenge for ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who must now navigate the growing political and administrative strain that threatens the integrity and unity of Asian cricket.
