The move comes in the aftermath of rising India-Pakistan tensions.
The move comes in the aftermath of India-Pakistan conflict, due to which the IPL 2025 was also suspended for a brief period before it resumed on Saturday (May 17).
According to a report published in The Indian Express, the BCCI has informed about its decision to the ACC and will be withdrawing from the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Sri Lanka next month and the Men’s Asia Cup in September.
The ACC is currently headed by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who is also serving as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman.
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,” a BCCI source was quoted as saying in the report.
The latest development has put the Men’s Asia Cup in jeopardy. India were supposed to host the showpiece tournament in September, featuring teams from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.
The report further stated that the continental tournament without India's participation is not feasible as "most sponsors of international cricket events are from India."
The Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) had bagged the Asia Cup rights for the next eight years in 2024 for $170 million. If the tournament doesn't take place this year, the deal would need to be re-worked.
As per the report, the five full members of the ACC -- India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan – receive 15 per cent each from the broadcasting revenue, while the remaining amount is disbursed among associates and affiliates.
The 2023 edition of the Men’s Asia Cup had also witnessed diplomatic tension between the two nations and the tournament was held in a hybrid model. While Pakistan had the hosting rights, India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka.
The ACC was established in 1983 to develop cricket in the sub-continent. Jay Shah, who is currently holding the ICC chairman post, earlier served as the ACC president.
(The Indian Express Inputs)