Hyderabad: Amid the escalating border tensions between India and Pakistan, there were reports of Border of Control for Cricket (BCCI) deciding to opt out from all Asian Cricket Council (ACC) tournaments for an indefinite period. But in a significant developement, the BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia said that all the reports circulating in media regarding India's stand of pulling out of Asia Cup 2025 are baseless.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told news agency ANI, "Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news reports that the BCCI has decided not to participate in the Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both of which are ACC (Asian Cricket Council) events. Such news are devoid of any truth as till now."
"BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the 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's and women's," he added.
However, earlier, it was understood that the Indian cricket board has informed the ACC about its decision to withdraw from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to be played next month in Sri Lanka and the Men’s Asia Cup in September. It was also understood that the BCCI's move to withdraw from continental event is an attempt to isolate Pakistan cricket. The ACC is currently headed by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman.
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” a source had claimed.
India, defending champions, are the host of Men's Asia Cup 2025 and BCCI's stand has put a question mark on the tournament. The tournament, featuring India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, is likely to be put on the back burner for now.
The BCCI knows that most of the sponsors of international cricket events come from India and hence conducting the Asia Cup without India is not a feasible option. Even, the format of the Asia Cup is made in such a way that both teams will play at least two games even if they don't qualify for the finals. Moreover, an Asia Cup without the money-spinning India-Pakistan contest would not interest the broadcasters. If the Asia Cup doesn't happen, the ACC will have to rework their broadcasting deal with Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) who bought the rights for next eight years for USD 170 million dollars in 2024. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, the full member nations of the ACC, receive 15% each from the broadcasting revenue, with the rest distributed among associates and affiliates.
The hosts of the 2023 Asia Cup was Pakistan, but the tournament was held in hybrid format where India played all their matches in Sri Lanka including the semi-final and a final after refusing to travel to the host country amid border tensions. For the PCB, the event proved to be a damp squib as Pakistan failed to make it to the final and India won the title contest against Sri Lanka at Colombo. Earlier in the year, India again refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy and played all their games at Dubai International Stadium. Again, India went on to win all the tournaments and remained unbeaten in the entire event.
