Amid the growing debate over India's upcoming Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan, it is learnt that the BCCI cannot pull out from the continental tournament, and the fixture between the arch rivals will go ahead as planned.
According to sources, the Indian board gave the green light during the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting.
On Saturday (July 26), the ACC unveiled the schedule for the Asia Cup, confirming the league stage clash between India and Pakistan will take place on September 14.
"The BCCI cannot withdraw from the tournament or the match now. The decision was agreed upon after the ACC meeting. Since India is the host nation, nothing can be changed at this stage. An official-level discussion took place, and the outcome was decided accordingly. The match will go ahead as scheduled," BCCI sources told news agency IANS.
Uncertainty over the India-Pakistan clash surfaced after the India Champions team, led by Yuvraj Singh, withdrew from their scheduled WCL match against Pakistan Champions at Edgbaston last week. As a result, the organisers had to cancel the match.
India’s retired stars such as Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan among others made this decision in response to the heightened tensions between two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
However, the BCCI has so far not commented on boycotting Pakistan in the Asia Cup after the announcement of the schedule.
Eight countries will compete in the continental tournament, which will be played in the T20 format. Apart from India and Pakistan, the participating teams include Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, UAE, and Oman.
A total of 19 matches will be played in the marquee event. India and Pakistan have been drawn in the same group alongside UAE and Oman, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong have been placed in the other group.
As far as the format of the Asia Cup 2025 is concerned, two teams from each group will make it to the Super Four stage. In the Super Fours, each team will face the other three once. Two teams from the Super Four stage will qualify for the final.
India and Pakistan can face each other three times in the Asia Cup. After the group stage fixture on September 14, they can meet once again on September 22 if they qualify together for the Super Four stage.
The broadcasters will be hoping for an India versus Pakistan clash in the final, which has never happened before in the history of the tournament.
(With IANS Inputs)
