BCCI's Approach To ICC On India-Pakistan Matches After Recent Terror Attack May Just Be Speculation - Report

Following a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, south Kashmir, which resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives on Tuesday (April 22), speculation has been rife about the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) stance on future cricket tournaments involving India and Pakistan.

According to a Cricbuzz report, BCCI's approach to International Cricket Council (ICC) with a request to avoid placing India and Pakistan in the same group during ICC events could be just a rumour as things stand.

Despite these murmurs, a high-ranking official from the BCCI expressed unawareness about such a development. This comes after Rajeev Shukla, BCCI's vice-president, noted the board’s commitment to adhering to the decisions of the Indian government regarding the matter.

The imminent Women's ODI World Cup, hosted by India in September, is the next major ICC tournament on the calendar. Pakistan, having qualified for this eight-team event, will contest in a round-robin format against every other team. However, given the arrangements, Pakistan's matches will not occur within India, with the organizers still in the process of selecting a neutral venue.

The Asia Cup, set to take place in September with India as the host, looms as a more pressing concern for the BCCI. Despite earlier reports suggesting the tournament might be held exclusively at neutral venues, such as Dubai or Sri Lanka, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has secured media rights for the Asia Cup, worth $170 million across four editions.

This deal was struck with the expectation that each edition would include at least two India-Pakistan matches, potentially three if both teams reach the final. The cost for the 2025 edition is projected at $38 million, reflecting the significant value placed on these matchups.

In 2023, the Asia Cup saw India and Pakistan compete twice, during the group stage and again in the Super Four, although the latter match was abandoned due to rain, with Pakistan missing out on the final. India clinched the title by defeating Sri Lanka in the championship match.

As for the men's cricket scene, the 2026 T20 World Cup, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, marks the next ICC tournament. However, the focus remains on the Asia Cup's scheduling and venue, which the Asian Cricket Council is contemplating against the backdrop of India-Pakistan relations.

The decision, expected to be influenced by the evolving dynamics between the two nations, is anticipated with the Asia Cup draw due for release in May. The overarching sentiment suggests that the final verdict will largely depend on whether tensions between India and Pakistan escalate or diminish.