India Pulls Out of Asia Cup 2025 Amid Political Tensions
The BCCI has withdrawn from the Asia Cup 2025 due to political tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The tournament, planned in T20 format for September, now faces possible cancellation. India’s exit threatens sponsor interest, as the India-Pakistan clash is the tournament’s main revenue driver. ACC is chaired by Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi.
With the ongoing political tension between India and Pakistan, the BCCI has decided to withdraw from the Asia Cup 2025, a move that could potentially lead to the tournament’s cancellation. This decision follows the Pahalgam terror attack and reflects India’s stance against Pakistan’s growing influence in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which is currently chaired by Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chief, Mohsin Naqvi. The BCCI has already informed the ACC about pulling out of both the Men’s Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup.
India’s absence is significant, as the Asia Cup was scheduled for September in T20 format as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. Historically, India has been the tournament’s biggest draw, especially because of the high-stakes India vs Pakistan matches. The absence of such matchups could severely impact viewership, sponsorships, and overall financial viability. Broadcasters and sponsors, predominantly based in India, are likely to reconsider their involvement, threatening the tournament’s future.
India has not played a bilateral series with Pakistan in over a decade, and this latest move furthers its diplomatic isolation of Pakistan in cricket. The 2023 Asia Cup was played in a hybrid format due to similar political disagreements, and such precedents continue to shape the sport’s geopolitics.
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