According to the Indian express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and has placed all future participation in Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events on indefinite hold. The decision is allegedly driven by escalating India-Pakistan political tensions and the appointment of Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as ACC President.
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan 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 too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” a BCCI source told the Indian Express.
However BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia denied these reports, claiming that BCCI have not discussed this issue yet.
“Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI’s decision not to participate in Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC’s events. Such news are devoid of any truth as till now BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the upcoming ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC. At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women,” said Saikia in a statement.
Also, while the ACC has not made an announcement about the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, the tournament has reportedly been postponed according to insiders, though no reason could be confirmed.
India’s Asia Cup exit would cast doubt over 2025 tournament
India was set to host the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in September, featuring full-member teams from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. India’s withdrawal would cast serious doubts on the event’s viability and commercial prospects.
The Asia Cup’s financial model heavily depends on Indian viewership and high-profile India-Pakistan matchups, which drive both sponsorship and broadcast revenue. Without India, those foundations could collapse.
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) holds the media rights for the Asia Cup in an eight-year deal worth US$170 million. If the 2025 event is cancelled or lacks India’s presence, a renegotiation of the agreement would be inevitable.
Ongoing political tensions impact cricket diplomacy
This would not be the first instance of India refusing participation in Pakistan-led ACC events. In 2023, India opted not to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to a hybrid model where India’s matches were played in Sri Lanka. Pakistan, the host, failed to make the final, which India won against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Similarly, for the 2024 ICC Champions Trophy strong, hosted by Pakistan, India again refused to cross the border and played in Dubai, where they eventually won the title — leaving Pakistan out of their home tournament’s final match.
Strategic effort to isolate Pakistan cricket?
Sources suggest the BCCI’s alleged move — denied for now but possibly on the way — may be part of a longer-term diplomatic and commercial strategy to isolate Pakistan cricket. While bilateral cricket has been suspended for years, this escalation impacts multi-nation tournaments too.
The recent departure of Jay Shah as ACC President and his elevation to ICC Chairman has further shifted regional power dynamics. Naqvi’s appointment as ACC chief has reportedly intensified the BCCI’s discomfort, triggering this latest withdrawal.
Implications for ACC and associate nations
The BCCI’s threatened exit would greatly impact the ACC’s structural and financial model. The current revenue-sharing system allocates 15% to each full member — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan — with the remaining split among associate and affiliate nations.
Without India, ACC’s revenue and development funding for smaller Asian nations could be drastically reduced, threatening the council’s development mandate and financial stability.
What’s next for ACC events?
With the BCCI refusing to explicitly commit to the ACC’s plans the future of tournaments like the Asia Cup remains uncertain. While the ICC governs global cricket, the potential decline of the ACC — historically a key subcontinental bloc — may reshape tournament formats and cricket diplomacy in the region.
Unless significant political shifts occur, the Asia Cup 2025 may not feature India — a move that could deal a fatal blow to its relevance and revenue potential.
