In a major development for the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), the board is reportedly looking to pull aside from the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup 2025. The board has also informed the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) about its decision to stay away from all ACC events for the time being due to the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan.
According to the report, the BCCI has also made the decision to pull out from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month as well. It is interesting to note that the ACC is currently headed by Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi, and the BCCI is reportedly not willing to participate in a tournament that is organised by the ACC due to Mohsin Naqvi being its chairman.
“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,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.
However, the BCCI Secretary later refused the development, stating that the board has not taken any such decision on the upcoming Asian events. "Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI's decision not to participate in Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC's events. Such news are devoid of any truth as till now BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the upcoming ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC.
"At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women. The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary. It may be said that BCCI will announce in due course as and when any discussion on any ACC events should take place or any key decision is reached," BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia.