India set to play Asia Cup 2025 despite Pakistan tensions? Report drops BOMBSHELL

The United Arab Emirates is likely to be the venue for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

While India were given the hosting rights for the multi-nation tournament, UAE has emerged as the frontrunner for the competition due to the escalating tension between India and Pakistan.

Tensions between India and Pakistan

The already poor relationship between the two countries deteriorated further after Pakistan-backed militants carried out a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people killed. It eventually led to a military showdown between the nuclear-armed rivals. India and Pakistan were on the brink of war before a ceasefire was called. However, the tension remains high between the arch-rivals.

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Amidst all these, the future of Asia Cup 2025 looks really bleak. The BCCI follows the government's directives on playing against Pakistan and it won't be surprising if they are not granted the permission to play the Asia Cup this year.

According to a report in the Indian Express, the BCCI is likely to pull out of Asia Cup 2025 in order to isolate Pakistan cricket. India have not played any bilateral series against Pakistan since 2012/13 season and the way things are unfolding at the moment, it would not be surprising if they boycott the Asia Cup too.

Asia Cup 2025 likely to go ahead

According to a report in Forbes, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) remains optimistic that the Asia Cup 2025 will go ahead.

"Things have been quiet amid the tension and there is much to play out, but there is still time," an official close to discussions told the news outlet.

The ICC Annual General Meeting is set to take place in Singapore next month and a final decision on the matter is expected then. The report further stated that even though India are the hosts, the tournament is likely to be played in the UAE if it goes ahead. Sri Lanka is an option as well.

Big blow for ACC if India decide to pull out

On the other hand, if India decide to pull out of the tournament, it will be a huge blow for cricket in the region, especially the smaller nations. Those nations rely on the funding that is generated from the marquee games between India and Pakistan.

The media rights deal for the Asia Cup is reportedly worth $170 million and it is divided between the ACC’s 27 members.

The last edition of the Asia Cup was played in 2023. While Pakistan had the hosting rights, the ACC eventually came up with a hybrid model and India played all of their games in Sri Lanka. India went on to beat Sri Lanka in the final to win the tournament and are the defending Asia Cup champions.

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