A major update came on Monday as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed that it will not take part in any future events organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). This decision has been taken due to increasing tension between India and Pakistan. The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was also paused earlier because of this tension but has now resumed from Saturday (May 17).

According to The Indian Express, the BCCI has already informed the ACC about its decision. As a result, India will not play in the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month. India is also likely to skip the Men’s Asia Cup scheduled for September.

The ACC is currently headed by Mohsin Naqvi, who is Pakistan’s interior minister and also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

A BCCI official told the newspaper, “The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised 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.”

But BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told ANI, "Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news reports that the BCCI has decided not to participate in the Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both of which are ACC (Asian Cricket Council) events. Such news is devoid of any truth as of now.

Uncertainty over Men’s Asia Cup 2025

India was supposed to host the Men’s Asia Cup in September, where five teams were to play — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. Now, with India deciding not to play, the entire tournament is in doubt. The report said that a tournament without India may not be possible because “most sponsors of international cricket events are from India”.

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) had bought the broadcast rights of the Asia Cup for eight years starting in 2024. The deal was worth $170 million. If the Asia Cup does not happen, this deal might have to be changed.

As per the agreement, the five main ACC members — India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan — receive 15% each from broadcast income. The rest of the money is shared with smaller member nations.

In the last edition of the Asia Cup, there was also tension between India and Pakistan. The tournament was held in a “hybrid” model. Pakistan was the host country, but India did not travel there. Instead, India’s matches were held in Sri Lanka. That year, Pakistan did not reach the final, which was played between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo.

You might also be interested in: After YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, UP man held for spying for Pakistan