Tensions between India and Pakistan may be heading for a cricketing flashpoint, with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar suggesting that Pakistan could be excluded from the upcoming Asia Cup—and even hinting at the possible disbandment of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
The comments come amid renewed geopolitical tensions following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which has reignited scrutiny over Indo-Pak relations—especially within the sporting arena.
Gavaskar questions Pakistan’s participation in Asia Cup
Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar expressed serious doubt over Pakistan’s inclusion in the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“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, so it depends on whether things have changed at all. If things haven’t changed, I can’t see Pakistan now being part of the Asia Cup,” Gavaskar said.
His remarks highlight how the BCCI remains closely aligned with India’s foreign policy stance—particularly on issues involving Pakistan.
Could the Asian Cricket Council be disbanded?
In a more far-reaching comment, Gavaskar suggested the ACC’s future could be in doubt if the diplomatic standoff persists.
“It might be that the Asian Cricket Council could well be disbanded, and you could just have a three-nation or four-nation tournament with maybe Hong Kong or UAE being invited. That could well happen,” he stated.
These comments open the door to alternative formats involving fewer nations or new participants—effectively reducing the ACC’s influence on regional cricket.
India might walk away from the ACC
Gavaskar didn’t rule out the possibility of India withdrawing from the ACC and instead organizing bilateral or trilateral cricket tournaments.
“It could well happen that India decides to pull out of the Asian Cricket Council. We could have a 4- or 5-nation tournament involving Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan. If the tournament is held in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, India could still act as host,” he said.
This strategy indicates a potential post-ACC cricketing model driven by the BCCI, with India at the center of organizing regional play without ACC involvement.
Cricket again caught in political tensions
Gavaskar concluded with a sobering observation on the difficulty of maintaining cricketing ties amid worsening diplomatic conditions.
“I won’t be surprised at all if the Asian Cricket Council gets disbanded with what’s been happening. If you’ve got two countries fighting each other, then it’s difficult to play sport with each other,” he noted.
With the Asia Cup approaching, Gavaskar’s remarks could signal major structural changes in the regional cricketing landscape—shaped as much by politics as sport. The coming months could be decisive for India-Pakistan cricket relations and the survival of the ACC.
