Asia Cup 2025- BCCI denies clearance; venue sealed

The India team’s participation in the 2025 Asia Cup is still uncertain despite the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) denying rumors of withdrawal. However, India and Pakistan have been placed in the same group for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup, which gives hope for the Asia Cup as well.

A promotional poster for the Asia Cup recently went viral on social media, drawing attention for featuring only two teams, India and Sri Lanka. The absence of Pakistan from the poster sparked speculation about their potential exclusion from the event, which is set to be hosted by the BCCI.

Given the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan, many found the omission possible with the strained relations between the two nations.

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Asia Cup 2025 Set to be played in September in UAE

As per Cricket Pakistan, the Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to be played from September 12 to 28. India and Pakistan will only face each other in neutral venues due to an existing agreement between the BCCI and the PCB. India won’t host any India-Pakistan match.

The report added that the UAE and Sri Lanka were considered as potential co-hosts alongside India. The UAE seemed to be the confirmed choice. A similar arrangement was adopted during the Champions Trophy, where all of India’s matches were played in Dubai despite Pakistan being the official host.

"While this year’s edition of the Asia Cup is set to be hosted by India, it is expected to be played in the UAE from September 12 to 28. However, India has yet to confirm its participation to the ACC," the report read.

We Play Pakistan in ICC Events - BCCI On Asia Cup 2025

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed reports last month suggesting India would skip the tournament. However, according to InsideSport, the BCCI is still waiting for clearance from the Indian government regarding involvement in the event.

A BCCI official clarified that there has been no internal discussion about boycotting matches, adding that India continues to play Pakistan in ICC events unless instructed otherwise by the government. Final decision on the Asia Cup is expected in the coming days.

“There is no discussion or even a remote thought about boycotting matches. We play Pakistan in the ICC events and it will go on if our government doesn’t say otherwise. As for the Asia Cup, we will know in the coming days,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.

PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Named Head of Asian Cricket Council

If India chooses to forfeit a game against Pakistan, the PCB may respond similarly in future tournaments. However, excluding India is viewed as unfeasible due to the significant financial and broadcast implications.

PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi also heads the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). The Women's Emerging Asia Cup, scheduled in Sri Lanka in early June, was postponed due to weather.

India and Pakistan haven’t played a bilateral series in over a decade, facing each other only in ICC events or Asia Cups. The Men in Blue refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, playing their matches in Dubai.

A similar arrangement was used in the 2023 Asia Cup, where India played in Sri Lanka while Pakistan officially hosted the tournament.

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