The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has supposedly well-versed the Asian Cricket Council of its choice to withdraw from the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, citing sharp political tensions with Pakistan.
This growth comes at a time when cross-border relatives between the two nations have once again declined, impacting sporting actions.
Conferring to Indian media reports, the BCCI has taken its refusal to participate in a tournament managed by Pakistan, with the ACC presently managed by Pakistanโs Inner Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi.
A senior BCCI authorized confirmed to local openings that India had communicated its position to the ACC.
โThe Indian team canโt play in a tournament that is organized by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister. Thatโs the sentimentality of the nation,โ the official said.
The BCCIโs decision spreads beyond the menโs Asia Cup. It has also withdrawn from the Womenโs Developing Teams Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month.
Furthermore, the board has located its future contribution in ACC events on hold, undecided further leadership from the Indian government.
โWe have orally communicated to the ACC about our removal from the upcoming Womenโs Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future contribution in their events is also on hold. We are in continuous touch with the Indian government,โ the official added.
This move companies doubt over the Asia Cup 2025, which was expected to be held by Pakistan later this year, and enhances further strain to the already delicate state of cricketing ties between India and Pakistan.
Two-sided series between the two arch-rivals have been postponed since 2012, with their clatters limited to ICC and ACC events such as the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup.
Though, the growing political hole now looms even those occasional face-offs.
It is relevant to mention that the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup was played under a cross model, with matches held in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka to quarter Indiaโs refusal to travel to Pakistan.
India finally settled the title with a leading victory over Sri Lanka in the final.
Pakistan was bordered out by the Lankan Lions in a nail-biting meeting, failing to defend a 253-run target. Sri Lanka protected a exciting win, reaching the final by settling victory on the last ball, despite losing eight wickets.
In the grand finale, Sri Lanka were bowled out for just 50 runs, which India chased down in only 6.1 overs.
