There has been considerable confusion regarding the upcoming Asia Cup, which is scheduled to take place in September and will be hosted by India.
However, the current strained relationship between the nation and its neighbouring nations, including Bangladesh and Pakistan, has cast a cloud of insecurity over the fate of the continental championship.
The Asian Cricket Council has been pressuring the BCCI to make decisions regarding the hosting rights of the Asia Cup, since the tournament is supposed to be played in a hybrid model, where the matches of Pakistan will be played somewhere outside the host country. This is due to an agreement signed before the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Amid all this, the BCCI has been firm on saying that they would need the clearance from the Indian government before taking any such decisions, since it involves the security of their officials and players.
Indian Sports Minister drops major hint ahead of Asia Cup 2025
Amid all these speculations, from the BCCI restricting Pakistan from participating in major international tournaments to the uncertainty over the hosting of the Asia Cup, the current Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, has issued a massive statement.
The minister has clearly said that the Indian government has no issues with Pakistan coming to India to participate in international events. Other than cricket, Pakistan has also decided not to send its hockey team for the Asia Cup, which is also scheduled this year.
He further clarified that the Indian government has no problem if India plays against Pakistan in any international sporting tournament, including the Asia Cup 2025.
The ACC still awaits BCCI’s response
These massive statements from the Indian sports minister might be granted as the green signal for the BCCI to start the arrangements for the upcoming Asia Cup. Now it would totally depend on the BCCI whether they want to opt for a hybrid model or ask Pakistan to rethink their decision and come over to India.
In case the PCB does not consider the BCCI’s plan, then the hybrid model might be proposed. India previously played all their matches in Sri Lanka during the last Asia Cup 2023, when Pakistan was the original host. PCB would have a similar thought in mind.
However, since no official statement has been issued either by the Indian government or the BCCI, the ACC still awaits any response from the Cricket Board with less than 2 months left for the continental championship.
ACC General Meeting remains to be scheduled in Dhaka
The Asian Cricket Council’s general annual conference has been scheduled at Dhaka, and despite multiple pleas from the BCCI, the ACC has been adamant on their decision. The ACC is currently headed by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
Alongside India, there were reports that suggested even the Sri Lanka cricket officials showed disagreement over the event being held in Dhaka, citing the current political unrest in the nation.
Though the sports minister hinted at something, there have been no clear indications of the Indian government agreeing to let their officials travel to Dhaka; hence, India’s participation still remains under severe doubt.