BCCI denies India withdrawing from Asia Cup

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has denied claims that emerged on Wednesday stating that India were withdrawing from the 2025 Asia Cup, set to be held in September.

Speaking to Asian News International (ANI), BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia denied the speculation, stating that media reports regarding the board’s decision to not participate in the Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup are “devoid of any truth as till now.”

Earlier, media reports claimed that the BCCI had verbally informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that they will not be participating in this year’s Asia Cup. India are currently set to co-host the tournament alongside Sri Lanka. Sources also claimed that the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month, was also put in doubt due to India’s withdrawal.

Additionally, reports claimed that decisions regarding this September’s Asia cup will reportedly be made at a future ACC meeting. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is also currently the ACC chair.

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The last Asia Cup in 2023 was co-hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, in order to allow India to avoid traveling to Pakistan. India also avoided traveling to Pakistan for this years Champions Trophy, playing their matches in Dubai instead. The agreement established prior to that tournament confirmed that all matches between Pakistan and India at International Cricket Council (ICC) events would be held at a neutral venue through 2027.

However, the latest conflict between the two neighbours puts this agreement in doubt, as well as the future of all ACC events.

The five full members of the ACC include Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

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