Monitoring Desk
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday denied reports claiming that it had decided to withdraw from upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events, including the Men’s Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, amid escalating tensions with Pakistan.
Indian media had earlier quoted unnamed sources claiming the BCCI had conveyed to the ACC its intention to skip regional events in protest against the appointment of Pakistan’s Interior Minister and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi as ACC President.
According to The Indian Express, the move was seen as a political signal to “isolate Pakistan cricket,” with one source stating, “The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister.”
The report added that the BCCI was aware of the commercial implications of such a move, with many sponsors of international cricket hailing from India. The potential withdrawal, particularly from the high-profile Men’s Asia Cup scheduled for September, sparked widespread speculation across cricketing circles.
However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia categorically rejected the reports later in the day, calling them “completely baseless.”
“Such news is devoid of any truth. BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC,” Saikia told news agency ANI.
“At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and the subsequent England series, both men’s and women’s. The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level. Hence, any report on that is purely speculative and imaginary,” he added.
The development comes amid renewed political tensions between India and Pakistan, which have historically disrupted bilateral cricketing ties. Since 2007, the two nations have not played a bilateral series and only face off in multinational tournaments hosted on neutral venues.
The controversy follows recent comments by Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, who earlier this month called for a complete boycott of cricketing engagements with Pakistan at any forum — including the Asia Cup and ICC events.
Last year, a similar standoff over hosting rights for the Asia Cup was resolved through a hybrid model after India refused to tour Pakistan. The arrangement saw matches played in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
