In a move laden with geopolitical significance, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to pull out of all upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events, citing heightened tensions with Pakistan.
According to The Indian Express, the BCCI has communicated its decision to the ACC, including withdrawal from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup scheduled in Sri Lanka next month and a likely boycott of the Men’s Asia Cup in September.
This unprecedented step stems from the growing sentiment within India to isolate Pakistan cricket following recent hostilities between the two nations.
What further complicates matters is that the ACC is currently headed by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman.
A senior BCCI official told The Indian Express, “The Indian team can’t play in a tournament organised by a body headed by a Pakistani minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation, and we’ve informed the ACC of our decision.”
India’s potential non-participation has cast serious doubt over the Men’s Asia Cup, scheduled to be hosted by India in September. With India being the commercial powerhouse of Asian cricket, its absence could severely impact the tournament’s viability.
Broadcasters and sponsors alike are likely to lose interest, especially given the high commercial stakes surrounding an India-Pakistan clash.
In 2024, Sony Pictures Networks India acquired Asia Cup broadcasting rights for eight years at a staggering $170 million. An India-less tournament could force a major renegotiation of that deal.
As per the ACC’s revenue model, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan each receive 15% of broadcasting revenue — a structure heavily reliant on India’s participation.
This is not the first instance of geopolitics disrupting Asian cricket. In 2023, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup, forcing a hybrid model with matches in Sri Lanka.
A similar scenario played out during the 2024 ICC Champions Trophy, where India played all its matches in Dubai despite Pakistan being the official host.
