The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has dismissed media reports suggesting it plans to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup due to political tensions with Pakistan.
As per reports, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that no formal or informal communication has been made with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding any withdrawal.
“Since this morning, some news reports have claimed that BCCI has decided not to participate in the Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup,” said Saikia. “Such news is completely false. The BCCI has neither held discussions on this matter nor communicated any decision to the ACC.”
The denial comes after several Indian media outlets claimed that the BCCI had verbally informed the ACC about its decision to skip these events, allegedly over the ACC President's dual role as a Pakistani government minister and current PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
The reports also stated that the Indian government’s approval would be required for any future participation in ACC tournaments and that the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month was already off India’s calendar.
However, BCCI has rejected these reports as speculative and unfounded.
The Asia Cup 2025, interestingly, is scheduled to be hosted by India. Under the expected model, Pakistan is likely to play its matches at a neutral venue, mirroring the hybrid format of the Asia Cup 2023, when matches were split between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to accommodate India's security concerns.
