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With cricket being hit severely with no India versus Pakistan matches following the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor, there are still talks around the return of the highly-anticipated match in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. However, the tournament’s future continues to remain in jeopardy, but speculations are rife that the two nations will play each other on September 7 with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirming a 15-day slot for the marquee tournament.
With a clarity expected to be out by the end of this month, following a meeting which is scheduled to be held on July 24 in Dhaka, but the tournament has now been marred with new challenges. It is to be noted that this edition of Asia Cup is set to be played in T20 format with India being designated with the hosting rights.
Asia Cup 2025 in jeopardy over PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s stance
With the meeting scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is sceptical of travelling to their neighbouring country amid the ongoing tensions. Prior to this, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) along with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to defer India’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh to September 2026 due to the ongoing situations.
But recently, in the wake of the same, BCCI is adamant to boycott any resolution if the ACC AGM is held in Dhaka. According to a source, Mohsin Naqvi, who currently holds the Chair of ACC, is attempting to exert "unnecessary pressure" on India regarding the meeting despite BCCI requesting to change a venue.
"Asia Cup can happen only if the meeting venue changes from Dhaka. ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is trying to assert unnecessary pressure on India for the meeting. We requested him to change the venue, but have received no response. BCCI will boycott any resolution if Mohsin Naqvi goes ahead with the meeting in Dhaka," a source close to the developments stated, as quoted by NDTV Sports.
However, a response by the ACC is still pending in regard to the same with the meeting now only a few days away. Speaking of the tournament, India are the defending champions of the Asia Cup after they defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets. They are also the most successful team in the tournament, having won the title eight times.
