New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India i.e. BCCI has taken a big decision regarding the upcoming Asia Cup. Reports are coming out that BCCI has refused to play the upcoming Women's (Emerging Women's Asia Cup) and Men's Asia Cup. BCCI has reportedly told the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that it is withdrawing its teams from the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup and 2025 Men's Asia Cup to be held in Sri Lanka in June. Let us tell you that at this time the head of ACC is Pakistani minister Mohsin Naqvi.
According to the report of The Indian Express, this decision has been taken after the increasing tension between India and Pakistan. India had given a befitting reply to Pakistan under Operation Sindoor after a terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir last month.
The report quoted a BCCI source as saying, "The Indian team cannot play in a tournament which is being organised by the ACC and headed by a Pakistani minister. "This is the sentiment of the country. We have verbally informed the ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup and our participation in their future competitions has also been put on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government."
This year's Asia Cup was to be held in India
This year's Asia Cup was being hosted by India. It was to be played in T20 format in view of next year's T20 World Cup. The tournament was last held in 2023 when India defeated Sri Lanka to win the title. With most of the sponsors of the Asia Cup being from India, this decision by the BCCI could also lead to the tournament being cancelled. Apart from India, the tournament would have also featured Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The previous edition of the Asia Cup was hosted by Pakistan, but the tournament was played in a hybrid model due to the BCCI's refusal to send its team across the border. All of India's matches were held in Sri Lanka. Similarly, the hybrid model was also used in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, with India playing all its matches in Dubai.
