NEW DELHI: India is set to skip the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup scheduled for September, as well as the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in June, amid growing diplomatic tensions with Pakistan. According to a report by The Indian Express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its decision to pull out from these continental tournaments. The ACC is currently headed by Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The BCCI’s decision follows India’s recent military operation, Operation Sindoor, which targeted multiple terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This operation was launched in response to the April terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed.
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying. “That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated our withdrawal from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup to the ACC, and our participation in future events is currently on hold. We are in constant communication with the Indian government.”
This year’s Men’s Asia Cup was to be hosted by India in the T20 format as a build-up to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. India are the defending champions, having clinched the 2023 title by defeating Sri Lanka. However, with India’s reported exit, the future of the tournament hangs in the balance—especially considering Indian sponsors form the backbone of the event’s financial ecosystem.
In 2023, due to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, the Asia Cup followed a hybrid model with all of India’s matches held in Sri Lanka. The same model was used during the ICC Champions Trophy, with India playing their games in Dubai.
With India’s participation now uncertain, the viability of the 2025 Asia Cup is under serious threat, and the Asian Cricket Council may be forced to reconsider or cancel the tournament altogether.
