BCCI Pakistan wants clarity from the Indian government for the match

Three months left for the Asia Cup 2025, official broadcaster Soni released a campaigner poster, which featured India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. However, the second largest team in Asia, Pakistan went missing. While many people speculated that the Asia Cup would be without Pakistan, all rumors are untrue. There is no clarity on the continental tournament yet. Instead, the Control Board for Cricket in India (BCCI) will demand clarity from the Government of India to play Pakistan after a recent deadlock after the Pahalgam terror attack in April.

India is the official host of the Asia Cup 2025. According to the current agreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), even though the tournament moves forward, Pakistan will play their matches in a neutral site. However, BCCI is not sure of men to face Pakistan in cricket.

“Honestly, we don’t know yet. Women’s cricket is different because there are not many eyeballs on India-Pakistan matches. But in men’s cricket, more than one billion people will tune. Since the operation vermilion, India-Pakistan match is a negative attitude. We will seek more clarity from the government on this matter,” A BCCI official told the Insidesport.

What’s in the store for Asia Cup 2025?

The tournament is scheduled in September in India. Pakistan is ready to play its matches in Colombo or in Dubai. But the BCCI has yet to interact with the Sri Lanka Cricket or Emirates Cricket Board, which includes Big-Ticut Ind vs. Pak match on the possibility of Pakistan’s matches hosting.

In October, India will take to Pakistan in Colombo at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup on 5 October. Since this is an ICC phenomenon, India cannot escape facing Pakistan if the BCCI does not seize the match and secures points.

However, the Asia Cup is more about India-Pakistan matches. The broadcaster is guaranteed at least one IND vs. Pak match with the Asian Cricket Council to generate revenue from the deal. PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi is also the current president of ACC. IPL President Arun Dhumal is also a member of the board.

“There is no discussion or even a remote idea about boycotting matches. We play Pakistan in ICC events and it will move forward if our government does not say otherwise. For the Asia Cup, we will know in the coming days,” BCCI official said.

India Cricket Team is the defending champion of the Asia Cup. Unlike last time, the Asia Cup 2025 will be played in the T20 format with the T20 World Cup in February-March. The PCB-headed ACC has already postponed the emerging teams of women for the beginning of June 5. But after spending $ 170 million for ACC broadcasting rights, Sony may demand compensation if the men do not proceed.