India has decided not to participate in or host the Asia Cup 2025 amidst escalating tensions with Pakistan, multiple media reports suggested on Monday. The decision comes as the diplomatic and military standoff between the two countries shows no signs of easing.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) that it will neither play in nor host the tournament.
The Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, initially scheduled for next month in Sri Lanka, has also been cancelled, according to sources.
The Men’s Asia Cup, slated for September, is now in jeopardy, with a final decision expected at the upcoming ACC meeting chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
"India has already informed the ACC that it will neither play in nor host the tournament," a source said, indicating that the event may be scrapped altogether if India remains firm on its decision. Without India’s participation, the tournament’s financial viability is in serious doubt, as a significant portion of the event’s funding comes from Indian sponsors and broadcasters.
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Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), which secured media rights for Asia Cup events in 2024 for a reported USD 170 million over eight years, stands to bear substantial losses if the tournament is cancelled.
The Asia Cup had been allocated a 19-day window in September, with at least two high-profile India-Pakistan clashes anticipated, including a potential final, which would have generated significant advertising revenue.
In previous years, hybrid hosting models have been adopted to accommodate geopolitical tensions. The 2023 Asia Cup, for instance, was technically hosted by Pakistan, but India’s matches, including the final, were played in Sri Lanka.
A similar model was employed earlier this year during the ICC Champions Trophy, with India opting to play their fixtures in Dubai instead of travelling to Pakistan.
The ongoing standoff has further strained cricketing ties between the two neighbours, with India increasingly reluctant to engage in bilateral series or multilateral tournaments involving Pakistan. The latest development is likely to cast a long shadow over future cricketing engagements between the two cricketing giants.
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