Asia Cup Turmoil: Could Pakistan Be Sidelined in 2025?
Tensions after the Pahalgam attack may push Pakistan out of the Asia Cup, threatening the future of the Asian Cricket Council. Here’s what cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar predicts.
Asia Cup Faces Uncertainty as India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate
In the wake of a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the already fraught cricketing ties between India and Pakistan may be heading toward a fresh collapse—this time with sweeping regional consequences. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has stirred the cricketing world with a stark prediction: the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the governing body for Asia’s premier cricketing events, may soon face dissolution.
This warning arrives as speculation grows over Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Asia Cup, a tournament co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka later this year. Gavaskar’s remarks underscore how deeply geopolitics is now entangled with sport.
The Pahalgam Fallout: Cricket Caught in the Crossfire
The Pahalgam terror attack has reignited political and public sentiment across India, leading to a surge in calls to isolate Pakistan diplomatically—and that includes on the cricket field. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), historically aligned with the central government’s stance, is unlikely to take a different path this time.
Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar clarified that any decision about participation or hosting will follow the Indian government’s directives. “BCCI’s stance has always been what the government tells them. If the situation doesn’t improve, I can’t see Pakistan playing in the Asia Cup hosted by India and Sri Lanka,” he said.
Could This Be the End of the ACC?
Beyond team participation, Gavaskar’s comments hint at something more consequential—the very survival of the Asian Cricket Council. He speculated that if relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors don’t thaw, the ACC might cease to exist. Instead, we could see a reshaped tournament format involving three or four neutral nations, such as Hong Kong or the UAE, stepping in to fill the void.
“If you’ve got two countries fighting each other, it’s hard to keep playing sport like nothing’s wrong,” Gavaskar noted. His words reflect a broader sentiment: when diplomacy fails, sport is often its first casualty.
A Pattern of Isolation
Earlier this year, India opted out of traveling to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, forcing the relocation of their matches to Dubai. India not only participated on neutral ground but went on to defeat New Zealand in the final—an outcome that subtly reinforced BCCI’s strategic flexibility when political sensitivities are high.
With a similar approach possibly in the cards for the Asia Cup, Gavaskar suggested that India could easily host a restructured multi-nation event. Teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan might still take part, but under a new banner—one free from ACC’s administrative umbrella.
A Tournament in Limbo
The future of the Asia Cup now hinges on what unfolds diplomatically in the coming months. For cricket fans across the continent, the possibility of Pakistan’s exclusion feels like déjà vu. For players and administrators, it’s a logistical and ethical quandary.
Gavaskar’s candid assessment—that the ACC could soon be disbanded—also poses questions about the future of regional cricket cooperation. The ACC has historically provided a platform for Asian nations to compete and grow together. Its collapse would mark a significant shift in the cricketing map of the region.
A Sport Torn Between Diplomacy and Passion
For millions across South Asia, cricket is more than just a sport—it’s a shared cultural force. But the recent tensions remind us that even cricket isn’t immune to geopolitical pressures. The Pahalgam attack has left deep scars, and its ripple effects may now be felt in stadiums and boardrooms far from the site of the tragedy.
What Lies Ahead?
As India weighs its options and Pakistan braces for a potential exclusion, the ACC finds itself at a crossroads. Will cooler heads prevail, allowing cricket to build bridges instead of walls? Or will political realities continue to dictate the fate of one of the sport’s most anticipated tournaments?
If Gavaskar’s insights hold true, fans may have to prepare for a new normal in Asian cricket—one where regional rivalries are reshaped not by sport, but by geopolitics.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on public statements and media coverage as of May 2025. The situation remains fluid and subject to change based on evolving diplomatic and security developments. The views quoted reflect individual opinions and not the official stance of any governing body.
source : Hindustan Times