Webdesk: Despite growing calls from certain former cricketers and segments of the Indian media, the Indian cricket board has reportedly confirmed that it will not pull out of the Asia Cup 2025, nor will it skip the high-stakes fixture against Pakistan. The decision comes after an official meeting of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) in Dhaka.
Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) indicate that the leadership gave its approval during the ACC discussions, making it clear that a boycott is off the table. “The BCCI cannot withdraw from the tournament or the match now. The decision was agreed upon after the ACC meeting. Since India is the host nation, nothing can be changed at this stage.
An official-level discussion took place, and the outcome was decided accordingly. The match will go ahead as scheduled,” BCCI sources were quoted as saying on Sunday.
The ACC had recently released the full schedule for the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup, confirming that India and Pakistan are set to face off on September 14 in the UAE. The highly anticipated match has already generated intense interest, not only because of the rivalry but also due to the political sensitivities that continue to shape the sporting relationship between the two countries.
Despite the backlash from parts of the Indian media and some former players, the BCCI has not released any statement suggesting a change of stance. Internal discussions were reportedly held at the official level before the decision was made, with no signs of reconsideration following the announcement of the fixtures.
The issue flared up after the schedule was made public, with several prominent voices in India renewing demands for the national team to skip matches against Pakistan. This isn’t the first time such sentiments have been expressed; similar debates surfaced during the build-up to the World Champions League.
Nonetheless, officials say the BCCI, acting as the tournament’s official host, has no scope to back out now. With the approval locked in at the ACC meeting, sources stress that “nothing can be changed at this stage.”
The Asia Cup 2025, featuring eight teams, will kick off on September 9 with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong in the opening match. This year’s edition will be played in the T20 format, offering teams valuable match practice ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan is scheduled to begin its campaign on September 12 against Oman, followed by its final group-stage match against the UAE on September 17. Depending on how the group stages unfold, fans might be treated to up to three India-Pakistan encounters in the group stage, the Super Four round, and potentially the final.
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