According to reports from people close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), India will continue to host the 2025 Asia Cup and will play Pakistan on the scheduled date.
It has been reported that the BCCI approved participation in the event at a meeting in Dhaka. Withdrawal from the event or the planned match against Pakistan is no longer being considered after this approval.
The Asia Cup will start on September 9, and the opening match between India and Pakistan is set for September 14. The two teams may play each other up to three times, depending on how the tournament goes.
Sections of the Indian media harshly criticized the government and the BCCI once the schedule was officially released, casting doubt on the choice to play against Pakistan. There have been comparisons made to boycott calls made during the World Champions League.
The choice to play against Pakistan was also criticized by former Indian cricket players, some of whom called for a boycott.
The final decision was preceded by conversations at the governmental level, according to sources within the Indian board. However, since the schedule was announced, the BCCI has not made any public remarks regarding a possible boycott.
Reports state that India, the tournament’s official host, cannot back down at this point, despite growing local clamor for withdrawal.
