Amid growing speculation over India’s participation in this year’s Asia Cup due to tensions with Pakistan, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has refuted claims of India withdrawing from the tournament. Saikia emphasised on Monday that the issue hasn’t been addressed as of yet.
The Asia Cup, a six-team T20 format competition, is expected to be hosted by India, but the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), responsible for the event, has yet to release the schedule or venue details, with September tentatively considered for the competition. Saikia stated: “The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level,” and reiterated that “… till now, BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC. At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women.”
Furthermore, the BCCI has yet to update the ACC about India’s participation in the Asia Cup or the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup scheduled in Sri Lanka this June. Although, ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup has been postponed due to unspecified reasons, with no official word yet from the ACC.
The backdrop to this uncertainty involves increased tensions between India and Pakistan, following a terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. This led to a temporary pause in both the IPL and PSL, resuming only after a ceasefire agreement on May 10. India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, commented on the situation, stating, “Till all this [terrorism] doesn’t stop, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan.”
Historically, the BCCI has sought governmental clearance to face Pakistan in international events. In 2023, when Pakistan was originally set to host the Asia Cup, India declined travel permission to Pakistan from their government, resulting in the PCB implementing a hybrid model where matches, including India’s, were played in Sri Lanka. Similarly, India did not travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, with their games held in Dubai.
Matches between India and Pakistan tend to be among the most-watched globally, heavily influencing the broadcasting rights’ value for the ICC and ACC. Political tensions often disrupt cricket ties between the two nations, impacting past editions of the Asia Cup with cancellations and withdrawals.
