Asia Cup 2025: BCCI Top Brass to Avoid India-Pakistan Clash Amid Tensions

DUBAI – Despite being the official host of the Asia Cup 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning an “invisible boycott” of Sunday’s high-stakes Group A clash between India and Pakistan, sparking fresh controversy in the cricketing world.

According to reports from Indian media outlets, senior BCCI officials are set to skip the marquee encounter in Dubai, marking a notable absence in a tournament they are officially hosting.

No BCCI Presence Four Days In

Four days into the tournament, no senior BCCI official has arrived in the UAE. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has been actively involved, unveiling the trophy and meeting team captains, but Indian representation has been missing.

Indian daily Dainik Jagran reported that only one BCCI representative might attend the match, while prominent names such as BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal, Treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia, and Joint Secretary Rohan Desai are all expected to remain absent.

Political Backdrop Fuels Controversy

This development follows heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan, including the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, which left 26 dead, and Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory Indian military operation. In the wake of these events, many Indian fans and former cricketers had called for a complete boycott of matches involving Pakistan.

Though the Indian government allowed participation in multilateral events like the Asia Cup, it appears the BCCI is treading cautiously, wary of domestic backlash.

A senior BCCI official reportedly told Dainik Jagran:
“We agreed to the match after getting permission from the government. If we come on camera during the match, then attempts would be made to create an atmosphere against us.”

Only Rajeev Shukla Expected to Attend

The only senior Indian cricket figure expected at the high-voltage clash is Rajeev Shukla, the acting BCCI president and an executive board member of the ACC. Meanwhile, ICC Chairman Jay Shah, also the BCCI secretary, is currently in the United States and will miss the game.

Cricket Carries On

While politics dominate the headlines, the cricket itself promises to be thrilling. India, with stars like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, and Kuldeep Yadav, head into the match as clear favourites.

Pakistan, under the leadership of newly appointed skipper Salman Ali Agha, will be looking to make a mark with a young side featuring Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.

Read more: US urges G7 and EU tariffs on China and India for Russian oil.

With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, this Asia Cup fixture is not just a regional rivalry but a crucial preparatory battle — though one now overshadowed by off-field diplomatic drama.