'I can't see Pakistan now...' - Former India legend's blunt statement on Pakistan's participation in Asia Cup after recent Pahalgam terror attack

The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been affected more severely after the recent terror attacks in the Pahalgam district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Now, there are clouds of uncertainty over the Asia Cup and India’s tour of Bangladesh amidst the cross-border tensions.

Meanwhile, former legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has come up with a blunt and stunning statement while speaking about Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup. Gavaskar has come up with these brutal words just a few days after the recent terror in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent Indian civilians.

This attack happened to deteriorate the cross-border situation and increase the political conflicts between India and Pakistan.

Also Read: ‘I’m furious. I’m devastated’ – Former IPL cricketer urges BCCI to snap cricketing ties with Pakistan after Pahalgam attack

"It depends on whether things have changed" - Sunil Gavaskar

Notably, the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka this year, but there have been a lot of questions about Pakistan’s participation in the tournament following the terror attack. 

“BCCI's stance has always been what the government of India tells them to do. So I don't think it would be any different when it comes to the Asia Cup. India and Sri Lanka are the hosts for this particular edition of the Asia Cup, so it depends on whether things have changed at all, but if things haven't changed, I can't see Pakistan now being part of the Asia Cup, which is going to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka,” said Gavaskar to Sports Today.

Furthermore, Gavaskar was also doubtful about the continuation of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in future and predicted that a triangular or quadrangular series might replace the continental tournament.

“I don't know how it will be. It might be that the Asian Cricket Council could well be disbanded, and you could just have a three-nation tour, that could well have a three-nation tournament, or a four-nation tournament with maybe Hong Kong or UAE being invited. So that could well happen, the Asian Cricket Council could well be disbanded. But I think it is dependent on what happens in the next couple of months,” he added later.