BCCI takes massive step after Pahalgam terror attack, writes ICC over Pakistan matches, Asia Cup decision put on hold

After the Pahalgam attacks, there are rumours spreading that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) requesting that India and Pakistan not be clubbed in the same group in future global ICC events.

As per a report in Cricbuzz, Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) no longer wishes for an India-Pakistan face off at least in the group stages of an ICC event. However, both teams will be seen participating in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup where Pakistan qualified for the eight-team tournament, where each team will play against all other participants in a round-robin format. As per an old deal between ICC, PCB and BCCI, Pakistan will not be playing any of their matches in India, with the host nation yet to zero in on a neutral venue.

Earlier, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also confirmed that the board would follow whatever the Indian government decided. However, Cricbuzz reported that the BCCI officials have not commented on the matter and will not be speaking about it anytime soon

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The upcoming men's ICC tournament will take place in 2026, as India and Sri Lanka will host the T20 World Cup between February and March. However, BCCI's immediate concern will be the Asia Cup which is scheduled to take place in September with India as the host. Although Cricbuzz had earlier reported that the tournament would be entirely played at a neutral venue, with Dubai and Sri Lanka as likely venues,

The fresh report on the website, however, highlighted: "The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has sold the media rights for the Asia Cup - valued at $170 million for four editions - based on an unofficial understanding that each edition will feature at least two India-Pakistan matches, with the possibility of a third if the teams meet in the final. The media rights deal is middle-heavy than front- or back-loaded, which means the 2025 edition would cost around $ 38 million, instead of the average value of $ 42.5 million."

The last edition of the Asia Cup was played in 2023 before the ODI World Cup, which was played in a hybrid model where India and Pakistan were placed in the same group and both teams faced twice in the mega event, once in the league stage and again in the Super Four. The second clash was washed out, and Pakistan, incidentally, failed to reach the final. India then lifted the trophy by defeating Sri Lanka in the final.