The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rejected media claims that it plans to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 or the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup due to political tensions with Pakistan.
Addressing the reports, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia stated that no formal or informal communication has been made with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding such a withdrawal.
“This morning, some media outlets claimed that the BCCI had decided not to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup or the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. These reports are completely untrue. The BCCI has not held any discussions on this subject nor conveyed any decision to the ACC,” Saikia clarified.
The clarification follows media stories alleging that the BCCI had informally informed the ACC of its intent to pull out of these tournaments. The speculation was reportedly linked to ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s sports minister and PCB chairman.
It was also claimed that any Indian participation in ACC events would now require clearance from the Indian government and that the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka next month, had already been removed from India’s plans.
However, BCCI has firmly rejected these assertions, calling them baseless and speculative.
Interestingly, India is the designated host for the 2025 Asia Cup. As per current expectations, Pakistan may play its matches at a neutral venue, similar to the hybrid model used during the 2023 Asia Cup, where games were divided between Pakistan and Sri Lanka due to India’s security concerns.
