Asia Cup 2025- BCCI launches Operation Sindoor on PCB

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly decided to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025 amid the tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after the recent Pahalgam terror attack. According to media reports, the Indian board has already informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

India and Pakistan have stopped playing in a bilateral cricket series for more than ten years. They will meet only in ICC tournaments and other multi-team cricket events. Their most recent encounter came during the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the Men in Blue secured a convincing six-wicket victory.

BCCI Decides to Pull Out of ACC Tournaments - Report

The BCCI is planning to withdraw from both the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, according to a report by The Indian Express. This decision comes due to concerns over Pakistan's leadership role in the Asian Cricket Council.

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The ACC is chaired by Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman. Notably, the BCCI’s withdrawal is seen as a strategic move to diplomatically isolate Pakistan in the international cricketing arena.

“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organized 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,” said a BCCI source as quoted by Indian Express.

Asia Cup 2025 Without India Is Not a Viable Option

This year's Men's Asian tournament was planned as a T20 event in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The previous Asian tournament took place in 2023, where India clinched the title by defeating Sri Lanka in the final.

Sources said, "The BCCI is aware that an Asia Cup without India is not a feasible option as most of the sponsors of international cricket events are from India. Moreover, an Asia Cup without the money-spinning India-Pakistan contest would not interest the broadcasters."

India’s Withdrawal May Lead to Tournament Cancellation

India’s decision to withdraw from the Asian Tournament 2025 could lead to the cancellation of the tournament, with the majority of its sponsors and broadcasters based in India. The Asian Cricket Council would struggle to attract financial backing for the event without the Indian team.

The Asian tournament is scheduled to be hosted by India in the T20 format in September. Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India are the five full ACC members.

This is not the first time political issues have impacted the tournament. The 2023 Asian tournament was played in a hybrid format after India refused to travel to Pakistan. A similar arrangement was made for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Also read: Revealed: Who are the Impact Players nominated for RR vs PBKS match 59 of IPL 2025?