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"It's easy to talk...": BCCI responds to calls for removing IND-PAK matches post Asia Cup

Sakshi Sharma

India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 (Source: AFP)India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 (Source: AFP)

It would not be wrong to say that the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025 has become one of the most controversial tournaments in recent years. The clash between India and Pakistan grabbed headlines for the political tensions that took place both on and off the field.

In the marquee tournament this year, India and Pakistan faced each other three times. India emerged victorious in all three encounters. (September 14- Group stage match, September 21- Super 4s, and the final on September 28). However, the matches were filled with drama, anger, and protest.

BCCI dismisses Atherton's suggestion

Recently, former England captain Michael Atherton has written in his column and criticised the ICC for scheduling India-Pakistan matches despite growing political tensions. Atherton accused the ICC of exploiting the rivalry for money. He also stated that what once was a symbol of cricket diplomacy has now become a 'proxy for political conflict and propaganda.'

In a recent development, responding to Atherton and several others who have raised questions regarding this matter, a BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) official has responded and stated that while concerns are valid, the issue is more complicated than it appears.

"It's easy to talk about all this, but will sponsors and broadcasters agree to it?" the official told Dainik Jagran. "In today’s situation, if any major team, not just India, pulls out of a tournament, it becomes difficult to attract sponsors."

What happened between IND and Pakistan in Asia Cup?

All this drama in the Asia Cup 2025 began during the group stage match on September 14, when Suryakumar Yadav and Team India refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players after the match.

The situation worsened when, in the Super 4s match on September 21, Pakistan players, including Haris Rauf, made provocative gestures, and the same no-handshake trend continued.

Things went worse during the final when, after winning the Asia Cup 2025, they refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi. 

After this move from the Indian team, Naqvi took the trophy with him, and to date, India has still not collected the winner’s trophy. According to the reports, the trophy is currently kept at the ACC headquarters.