'The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary.'
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, on Monday, termed as "speculative and imaginary" the report which claimed that it has decided to pull out of men's Asia Cup and women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
According to The Indian Express, the BCCI is reportedly pulling the plug on India’s participation in the 2025 edition of the Men’s Asia Cup and the decision reportedly comes amid growing discomfort in Indian cricketing circles over Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi helming the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the governing body for the tournament.
Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), assumed the ACC chairmanship after India’s Jay Shah exited the role following his appointment as ICC chairman.
Defending champions India are the hosts for the Men's Asia Cup, to be played in the T20 format, in September while Sri Lanka have been allotted the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
This development is being seen as more than just a cricketing call. With political relations between India and Pakistan continuing to nosedive, India's stance reflects a growing reluctance to engage even on a multi-nation platform if Pakistan is calling the shots.
Historically, India has avoided bilateral cricketing ties with Pakistan, citing security and diplomatic concerns. Now, with a senior Pakistani minister overseeing a continental tournament, the BCCI appears to be extending that policy to multi-team events as well.
"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,” a BCCI official was quoted saying.
“We have verbally communicated to the ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup. Our future participation in ACC events is also under review. We remain in touch with the Indian government."
'Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI's decision not to participate in the Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC events. Such news is devoid of any truth as till now, the BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC,' BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia to PTI later on Monday.
Saikia added that BCCI is focussed on ensuring the smooth conduct of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the upcoming five-match Test series against England beginning next month.
'At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and the subsequent England series, both men and women. The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary.
'It may be said that the BCCI, as and when any discussion on any ACC event takes place and any important decision is reached, the same will be announced through the media,' he added.
India vs Pakistan encounters are the gold standard in terms of viewership, sponsorship and broadcaster returns. Their absence from the roster threatens to derail the economics of the entire tournament.
The financial stakes are massive. India’s participation in Asia Cup and ICC events brings in an estimated ₹165–220 crore per cycle for the PCB. And with the current Asia Cup broadcast rights sold to Sony Pictures Networks India for $170 million largely on the strength of India’s presence and a pull-out could lead to renegotiations and heavy revenue losses.
Currently, all full ACC members receive 15% of the broadcast pool. But if India pulls out, the purse is likely to shrink, hitting Pakistan the hardest.
For now, the ball lies in the ACC’s court. But without India on the field, the Asia Cup may not just lose its biggest draw, it could end up being a non-starter.
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