BCCI decides to pull out of Asia Cup 2025: Reports

In the aftermath of recent cross-border conflicts with Pakistan, India have decided to take a big step to isolate the neighbours in cricket. The reports understand that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is set to pull out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be played in India.

Notably, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is currently the head of the Asian Cricket Council. He took charge after Jay Shah, the former ACC chief and former BCCI secretary, was named chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

BCCI’s move likely to be a big dent for ACC

Returning to the Asia Cup 2025, BCCI’s decision to pull out from the tournament could be a big loss to the tournament and all the stakeholders looking forward to it.

“The Indian team can't play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani 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 is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” said a BCCI source to the Indian Express.

“The BCCI is aware that an Asia Cup without India is not a feasible option, as most of the sponsors of international cricket events are from India. Moreover, an Asia Cup without the money-spinning India-Pakistan contest would not interest the broadcasters,” the source added later.

The cricket relations between India and Pakistan are expected to face another setback if India pull out of the continental tournament. The media reports also understand that the reason behind India pulling out from the tournament is the Pakistan minister being the head of the Asian Cricket Council. However, an official confirmation from BCCI is still awaited in the same regard.