India is set to retain its hosting rights for the 2025 Asia Cup and will play against Pakistan according to the recently announced schedule, as per reports citing sources close to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Reports indicate that during a meeting held in Dhaka, the BCCI granted its approval to participate in the tournament. Following this endorsement, withdrawal from the event or the scheduled high-profile fixture against Pakistan is no longer under consideration.
The Asia Cup is slated to commence on September 9, with the highly anticipated first encounter between Pakistan and India scheduled for September 14. Depending on the tournament’s progression, the two cricketing rivals could potentially face each other up to three times.
Following the official release of the schedule, segments of the Indian media sharply criticized both the BCCI and the government, questioning the decision to proceed with the match against Pakistan. Comparisons were drawn to similar calls for a boycott that arose during the World Champions League.
Several former Indian cricketers also publicly voiced their disapproval of the decision to play against Pakistan, with some explicitly demanding a boycott.
Sources within the Indian board confirmed that discussions at the governmental level preceded the final decision. However, the BCCI has not issued any public statements regarding a potential boycott in the aftermath of the schedule’s announcement.
Despite escalating domestic pressure for withdrawal, reports assert that India, as the official host nation for the tournament, cannot back out at this advanced stage. No changes to the venue or the existing match arrangements appear likely.
