BCCI's sweeping step after Pahalgam attack, writes to ICC over Pakistan matches; Asia Cup decision put on hold: Report

By Admin

25 Apr, 2025

In the wake of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, where 26 civilians lost their lives, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly taken a strong step. According to Cricbuzz, the BCCI has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), urging that India and Pakistan should no longer be placed in the same group for ICC events—at least not in the group stages.

India-Pakistan Face-offs Under Review

The long-standing cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan has always drawn immense attention, but recent developments suggest a significant shift in approach. BCCI, reflecting heightened national sentiment after the Pahalgam tragedy, appears reluctant to entertain group-stage encounters with Pakistan in international ICC tournaments. While this move hasn’t been officially confirmed by all BCCI members—one top official called it “news to him”—the sentiment behind such a request aligns with earlier statements made by BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who stated the board would act according to government directives.

What Happens to the Women's ODI World Cup?

India is set to host the Women's ODI World Cup in September, with Pakistan having qualified for the eight-team round-robin tournament. Interestingly, under the pre-arranged format, Pakistan is not slated to play any of their matches in India. The BCCI is still working on identifying a neutral venue for Pakistan’s matches, and this issue becomes even more significant if the board continues to push for minimized India-Pakistan encounters.

The Asia Cup: Decision in Limbo

While the next men's ICC tournament—the T20 World Cup—is scheduled for 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, the more immediate cricketing concern is the Asia Cup in September. Though India is the official host, earlier reports suggested that the tournament might be played entirely at a neutral venue, possibly Dubai or Sri Lanka. However, this arrangement seems increasingly complex now.

A new Cricbuzz report throws another layer of complexity into the mix. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has already sold the media rights for the Asia Cup (valued at $170 million across four editions) based on an informal understanding that every edition would feature at least two India-Pakistan matches—and possibly a third if the teams clash in the final. Given the middle-heavy structure of the deal, the 2025 edition is priced at around $38 million, slightly below the average of $42.5 million, emphasizing the importance of marquee clashes.

History Repeats?

In the last edition of the Asia Cup (2023), India and Pakistan met twice—once in the group stage and again in the Super Four. However, the second match was washed out and Pakistan failed to reach the final. India eventually lifted the trophy by defeating Sri Lanka. With high-stakes matches being crucial for broadcasters and fans alike, any disruption in the India-Pakistan match cycle could have both sporting and commercial consequences.

Final Decision Awaited

While the draw for the Asia Cup was initially expected in May, the ACC now appears to be reassessing the situation. According to the report, “The general impression is that any final decision will hinge on the escalation or de-escalation of prevailing tensions between India and Pakistan.” Until then, the Asia Cup’s venue and format—including the potential for India-Pakistan matches—remain uncertain.

The recent developments underscore the complicated interplay between sports, politics, and public sentiment. With diplomatic tensions influencing the cricketing calendar, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining how the future of India-Pakistan cricket unfolds.