Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: India has officially withdrawn from the Asia Cup 2025, citing escalating tensions with Pakistan.
According to Indian media, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to participate in this year’s tournament and has formally informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its decision.
Notably, India was originally set to host the Asia Cup 2025. However, the absence of a high-profile match against Pakistan is expected to significantly diminish the tournament’s commercial value.
Experts warn that India’s refusal to play may impact not only the competitiveness of Asian cricket but also the financial prospects of teams like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who rely heavily on revenue generated from such major events.
This is not the first instance where India has been accused of politicizing cricket. Similar stances were observed during the 2019 World Cup and the 2023 Asia Cup, drawing criticism from international sports commentators and governing bodies.
Sources also indicate that India is considering pulling out of its scheduled One Day International (ODI) and T20 series against Bangladesh, further intensifying concerns.
Sports analysts caution that if India continues on this path, it could cause irreparable damage to Asian cricket and undermine the principle of neutrality in sports.
