India vs Pakistan ICC, ACC matches end; BCCI drafts sealed document

There is speculation that India and Pakistan could be placed in separate groups for future ICC events due to recent tensions following the tragic incident in Pahalgam. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly not made any such request and has not approached the ICC or ACC.

According to reports, nearly 28 tourists were killed and many others injured on Tuesday, April 22. The incident is being described as one of the deadliest attacks in the region since 2019. Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Suryakumar Yadav, expressed solidarity through social media.

BCCI Awaits Government Approval Before Making Decision on India-Pakistan Matches in ICC Events

There is speculation that the BCCI has requested to avoid being grouped with Pakistan in future ICC tournaments. As per Cricbuzz, the board has not made any such move.

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BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla confirmed that the board will only follow the Indian government's directions. A senior official also told Cricbuzz that no formal communication has been made to the ICC regarding the matter.

While the board remains aware of the national sentiment amid heightened emotions, there has been no official decision, written request, or formal escalation at this stage.

No Groups in Women’s ODI World Cup 2025

The next major ICC tournament is the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in India between September and October. The event follows a round-robin format, which means every team plays each other.

Pakistan have qualified for the tournament, and while the BCCI will eventually need to decide on a neutral venue for their matches, no decision has been made yet.

Pakistan's matches are also set to be held outside India, though the final call on the venue is still pending. The tournament will feature eight teams: India, Pakistan, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

Before the Women’s World Cup, the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 will take place. India, through BCCI, is the official host, and the tournament is expected to be shifted to a neutral location.

Neutral Venue for Asia Cup 2025 Amid Ongoing Political Tensions

The Asia Cup’s massive $170 million media rights deal relies heavily on the high-stakes rivalry between India and Pakistan. The two teams are expected to play at least twice and possibly a third time if they meet in the final. These matches are commercially important to broadcasters and organizers.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is unlikely to separate the arch-rivals in the group stage. India and Pakistan were placed in the same group in the 2023 tournament, which was played in a hybrid format. They faced off twice—once in the league stage and again in the Super Four—but the second clash was rained out.

The 2025 edition will be hosted at a neutral venue, possibly Dubai or Sri Lanka, tentatively in September. As per Cricbuzz, the group draw was set for May, but it might be delayed due to political uncertainty. The ACC will finalize the groups and venue based on the status of relations between India and Pakistan.

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