ISLAMABAD: Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the future of the cricket Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September this year, hangs in the balance.
According to a report by the Times of India, the tournament is under serious threat as the Indian government maintains a firm stance on cricketing relations with Pakistan in the wake of the recent incident.
The eight-team competition, which was set to be held at a neutral venue, now faces uncertainty due to strained diplomatic relations following the Pahalgam incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The Indian government is reportedly unlikely to grant permission to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to participate in matches against Pakistan.
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The Asia Cup was expected to serve as a vital preparatory tournament for the ICC T20 World Cup in February 2026. However, its value is diminished if two of the continent’s strongest teams are unable to compete against one another.
Bilateral series
It is important to note that India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2013. Nonetheless, they have continued to face off in ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events.
Looking further ahead, the next ICC tournament is the Women’s ODI World Cup in September–October 2025, which will be hosted by India.
The event will feature eight teams playing in a round-robin format — including Pakistan — meaning all sides are due to face each other, ruling out the possibility of avoiding certain match-ups through group segregation.
Although India will be hosting the tournament, matches involving Pakistan are expected to be held at a neutral venue. At present, no final decision has been taken regarding where Pakistan’s fixtures will be staged.
