Reports: BCCI agrees to India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly agreed to play arch-rivals Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The decision, still awaiting official confirmation, comes amidst the ongoing political tensions between the two nations following the Pahalgam attack.

According to a Times Now report, the Annual General Meeting involving the BCCI, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Asian Cricket Council (ACC), and other member boards is currently underway in Dhaka on July 24 and 25. The gathering is focused on finalizing the tournament’s future, format, and venue.

India’s participation in the Asia Cup had been uncertain due to the political tensions. Initially, there were strong calls for India to boycott all matches involving Pakistan, including in ACC and ICC events. However, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saika recently clarified that the board had taken no such decision and dismissed reports of an Asia Cup boycott. 

Since this morning, it has come to our notice some news items about BCCI's decision not to participate in the Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC's events. Such news is devoid of any truth as till now, BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding ensuing ACC events, let alone written anything to the ACC," he said as quoted by Times Now.

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UAE comes out as the preferred neutral venue

Though India holds the hosting rights for the 2025 edition, the tournament will not be held in the country. Pakistan had refused to play matches in India, and in a mutual understanding reached earlier this year during Champions Trophy discussions, both boards agreed not to play in each other's countries. As a result, the tournament is now likely to be hosted in the UAE, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi as primary venues.

The Asia Cup 2025 is tentatively set to run from September 8 to 28, revised from the earlier start date of September 5. A schedule already released includes a blockbuster India vs Pakistan clash on September 7, but is yet to get the final approval.

This year’s Asia Cup will follow the T20 format, in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026. Eight teams, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Oman, and Hong Kong, will compete in a group stage followed by a Super Four format. The top two teams from the Super Four will lock horns in the final.

The UAE has emerged as the preferred neutral venue, thanks to its world-class infrastructure and history of successfully hosting major events like the IPL, Asia Cup, and World Cup qualifiers. Political tensions, particularly India’s trade disputes with Bangladesh and recent events like the cancellation of the India-Pakistan match at the World Championship of Legends, made other venues less viable.  Meanwhile, Rajeev Shukla is attending the Dhaka AGM virtually on behalf of the BCCI.