Cricket diplomacy takes another hit as India signals it may pull out of the Asia Cup 2025 — all because Pakistan is in charge.
According to explosive Indian media reports, the BCCI is mulling a complete boycott of the Asia Cup, uncomfortable with the tournament being chaired by Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chief, Mohsin Naqvi.
“It’s about national sentiment,” Indian officials claim. “We can’t play under Pakistan’s leadership.”
The statement has rocked the cricket world. India already refuses to play bilateral series with Pakistan — now it’s considering ditching even a global platform like the Asia Cup, which could send shockwaves through the entire cricket economy.
Though India was initially given hosting rights for the 2025 edition, Pakistan’s current chairmanship under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has changed the dynamics. And if India pulls out, the biggest blockbuster clash — India vs Pakistan — could be wiped off the calendar.
The stakes are massive. Sony Pictures Networks had locked in a record-breaking $170 million deal for media rights. An Indian exit could throw that into chaos and hurt smaller boards like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, who depend on Asia Cup revenue.
Pakistani fans and cricket experts are hitting back hard — accusing India of “sports hostility” and “sabotaging regional cricket” over politics.
“This is pure politicization of the sport. If India backs out, it’s a self-inflicted loss,” critics argue.
This isn’t the first time India has taken a political line on cricket. During Asia Cup 2023, India refused to play in Pakistan, forcing a hybrid model with Sri Lanka as co-host. Now, it looks like history is repeating — with even higher stakes.
As the Asia Cup 2025 countdown begins, fans across the region are asking:
Will cricket win, or will politics bowl it out again?