IND vs PAK: Why India Cannot Pull Out Of Asia Cup 2025 Match vs Pakistan?- Explained

Add as a preferred source on Google

IND vs PAK: The high-voltage India vs Pakistan fixture in the Asia Cup 2025 will go ahead as planned, despite rising uncertainty surrounding cricketing ties between the two nations. According to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the board has confirmed its participation in the tournament and the marquee clash, leaving no room for withdrawal.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), following a key meeting, unveiled the official schedule on Saturday. The group-stage encounter between India and Pakistan has been locked in for September 14. Both sides are placed in Group A alongside hosts UAE and Oman.

"The BCCI cannot withdraw from the tournament or the match now. The decision was agreed upon after the ACC meeting. Since India is the host nation, nothing can be changed at this stage. An official-level discussion took place, and the outcome was decided accordingly. The match will go ahead as scheduled," BCCI sources told IANS.

This confirmation comes amid political tension, especially after the India Champions - led by Yuvraj Singh - opted out of their Legends match against Pakistan Champions in Birmingham. That game, part of the ongoing World Championship of Legends, was scrapped by organisers in response to the team's refusal to play, following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

However, the BCCI has not issued any official statement indicating a boycott of Pakistan in the Asia Cup, distinguishing the ICC-recognised competition from exhibition events.

The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup, to be played in the T20 format, is set to serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 T20 World Cup. ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also confirmed that the tournament will feature eight teams for the first time. Group B includes Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

With the Super Four and final to follow the group stage, there remains a real chance of up to three mouth-watering India-Pakistan showdowns. India enters as defending champions, having defeated Sri Lanka in the 2023 final.