Amid tensions with Pakistan, India denies reports of Asia Cup pullout

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday refuted media reports claiming that India had decided to pull out of the upcoming Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup — both key tournaments under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

"Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news reports that the BCCI has decided not to participate in the Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both of which are ACC events. Such news are devoid of any truth as till now," BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia told ANI.

He further clarified that the BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the upcoming ACC events, Indian media reported.

"At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men's and women's," he added.

Earlier in the day, Indian media had reported that owing to continued political tensions with Pakistan, the BCCI had decided to pull out of all ACC-organised tournaments.

Those reports stated that the BCCI had withdrawn from both the Asia Cup, scheduled for September in India, and the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, due to take place in June in Sri Lanka, allegedly in response to Pakistan’s leadership role in the ACC.

It was also reported that while no formal communication had been made, the BCCI had verbally informed the ACC about its withdrawal and placed other upcoming events on hold.

An unnamed official was quoted saying the Indian team could not participate in a tournament headed by a Pakistani minister, referring to Mohsin Naqvi, who currently serves as both PCB Chairman and ACC President.

India is the defending champion of the Asia Cup, and the earlier reports described the alleged decision as politically motivated, amid rising tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.

Earlier this month, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir said he personally believes India should not play any cricket with Pakistan, not even in neutral venues, after a deadly militant attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) last month.

Two-way cricket between the nuclear-armed neighbours remains suspended since 2013 and they play each other only in multi-team tournaments, mostly in neutral venues.

"My personal answer to this is absolutely no," Gambhir said on Tuesday, hours before India launched unprovoked airstrikes on Pakistan, when asked for his view on India-Pakistan cricket.

"Till all this doesn't stop, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan."

Any match between the arch-rivals remains a cricketing blockbuster and is declared soldout within hours after tickets go on sale.

Pakistan's men's team toured India for the 50-overs World Cup in 2023 but their neighbours have not reciprocated.

India refused to tour Pakistan for the Champions Trophy earlier this year and played all their matches in Dubai instead.

Last month, India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra withdrew his invitation to Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem to compete in a May 24 event in the southern city of Bengaluru following the Phalgam attack.

source geo news