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Pakistan Out Of Asia Cup? Sony Sports' Cryptic Broadcasting Post Sparks Row

Akshita Patel

Sony Sports' ad on Asia Cup sparks debate [Source: @SonySports, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Sony Sports' ad on Asia Cup sparks debate [Source: @SonySports, @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

Sony Sports released a poster for the upcoming Asia Cup event likely to take place later in the year. However, the poster featured captains from India (Suryakumar Yadav), Bangladesh (Najmul Shanto), and Sri Lanka (Charith Asalanka). The absence of Pakistan has sparked a big row over their participation.

India and Pakistan engaged in an intense border conflict in May 2025, which resulted in the severing of all ties with Pakistan, including sports. Critics were against the idea of pitting India and Pakistan in cricket tournaments, including the Asia Cup.

Sony Sports Add Fuel To Asia Cup Uncertainty

A report from Express Sports previously claimed that India will pull out of the Asia Cup, as the head of the ACC (Asia Cricket Council) is Pakistani minister and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.

Then, a rumour also surfaced that India would use its power to influence other boards and forfeit Pakistan’s participation in the tournament.

To add to his uncertainty, Sony Sports, the official broadcaster for the tournament, released a poster for the 2025 Asia Cup. The poster had representation from India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka but not Pakistan.

Sony Sports post for Asia Cup [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]Sony Sports post for Asia Cup [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/X.com]

This has forced fans to wonder if Pakistan has, in fact, been ousted from the Asia Cup. Earlier, Forbes reported that India will play in the Asia Cup, but due to conflict with Pakistan, the tournament will be shifted from India to the UAE.

All things said and done, the uncertainty still prevails with no word from the ACC about the exact details, venues and schedule of the event.

Sony Sports Secure ACC Events Rights Until 2031

Meanwhile, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has secured media rights for all ACC tournaments from 2024 to 2031 at the base price of $170 million, a 70% increase from the previous cycle. Surprisingly, there was no competitive bidding, with JioStar opting out. This marks SPNI’s first major cricket acquisition in years and includes marquee India-Pakistan matches.