India has stopped all bilateral cricket with Pakistan after Pahalgam terrorist attacks.
The subcontinent's cricket schedule may be affected by the current cross-border tensions between India, Pakistan, and now Bangladesh. This includes India’s tour of Bangladesh and the Asia Cup 2025.
In August, the Indian cricket team is supposed to travel to Bangladesh for a limited-overs series consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is, but given the recent events, the journey may not go as planned.
This comes after a former army colonel from Bangladesh, who was close to the present temporary government,t sparked a significant issue by proposing to occupy the northeastern provinces of India.
Maj Gen (retired) ALM Fazlur Rahman even advocated for a cooperative military system with China in a social media statement.
“If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should occupy the seven states of North-East India. In this regard, I think it is necessary to start a discussion on a joint-military system with China," he said in a Facebook post.
As of right now, it is impossible to rule out India boycotting the tour, but no firm decision has been made on the matter.
The terror assault in Pahalgam has cast a shadow over not just the Bangladesh tour but also the 2025 Asia Cup. The Indian government is speaking harshly, and it may not be possible to play cricket with the neighbors very soon.
The Asia Cup, despite being India as hosts, is expected to be held at a neutral location, is set for September, immediately following the Bangladesh series.
Although the location has not yet been decided, those with knowledge of the situation believe it may be postponed because cricket between India and Pakistan is not at its best right now.
Without the assurance that India will play Pakistan, which currently appears to be an implausible scenario, the entire idea that the Asia Cup is a significant competition falls flat.
The tournament's last hybrid-model edition (2023) was hosted by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with India emerging victorious.
(Times of India inputs)