India Opt Out Of Asia Cup And All Foreseeable ACC Events : Reports

In the wake of Operation Sindoor and Indian Army’s combat against cross-border terrorism in Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have decided to opt out of the upcoming Asia Cup in September as well as the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month. The decision has been taken by the BCCI due to the fact that the ACC is currently headed by PCB Chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistani 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 also on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” the Indian Express quoted a BCCI source as saying.

The continental showpiece event, which last took place in September 2023 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, was due to happen in September 2025 with India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka taking part in the tournament. 

While the Asia Cup is a big ticket event for the broadcasters, with Sony holding the rights, not having India will have major ramifications, because of which the tournament is likely to be put on the back burner for now. Sony Sports Network won the rights for the tournament, paying US$ 170 million USD for an eight-year contract, but now, if the tournament gets cancelled, it will be reworked once again.