BCCI Refutes Claims of Withdrawing from Asia Cup Amid Tensions

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed rumors regarding India's withdrawal from the Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup due to tensions with Pakistan. He emphasized that the BCCI has not engaged in any discussions about these events and is currently focused on the IPL and upcoming series against England. Saikia labeled the reports as speculative and confirmed that any official announcements regarding ACC events will be made through the media. As the defending champion and designated host, India's participation remains a topic of interest amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2025, 02:02 IST

BCCI Secretary Addresses Media Speculation

In New Delhi, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has firmly rejected media claims that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will not participate in this year's Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup due to rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

Recent reports suggested that the BCCI had notified the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) about its withdrawal from both tournaments—the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, set to take place in Sri Lanka next month, and the Men's Asia Cup, scheduled for September.

Saikia strongly denied these assertions, stating that the BCCI has not engaged in any discussions or taken any actions regarding the ACC events. He described the reports as "speculative and unfounded."

"We have noticed this morning that certain news articles claim BCCI has decided against participating in the Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both of which are ACC events. This information is entirely false, as the BCCI has not even discussed or taken any steps regarding these upcoming ACC events, nor have we communicated anything to the ACC. Our current focus is on the ongoing IPL and the upcoming series against England, both men's and women's," Saikia explained.

"The topic of the Asia Cup or any other ACC event has not been discussed at any level; therefore, any news or reports regarding it are purely speculative. Should there be any discussions or significant decisions regarding ACC events, we will announce them through the media," he added.

India, the reigning champion of the Asia Cup, is also the designated host. In 2023, India opted not to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, leading to Sri Lanka being chosen as the neutral venue for India's matches. Earlier this year, during the Champions Trophy hosted by Pakistan, India also declined to travel there and played all its matches in Dubai.

The ACC is currently led by Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who also serves as Pakistan's interior minister, succeeding Shammi Silva, the President of Sri Lanka Cricket.