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"Oust Pakistan, Disband ACC" Gavaskar Suggests New Asia Cup Plan After Pahalgam Attack

Akshita Patel

Sunil Gavaskar uncertain about Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @_FaridKhan/X.com]Sunil Gavaskar uncertain about Asia Cup 2025 [Source: @_FaridKhan/X.com]

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has shared serious concerns about Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. His statement came following a devastating terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians.

The devastating attack broke out a few weeks back and since then tensions between Pakistan and India have surged. The Indian government forfeited the Indus Water Treaty and sent back all Pakistani nationals after closing the Wagah border.

In response, Pakistan also closed its airspace for India. Moreover, these tensions are likely to spill over into sports, especially with the Asia Cup around the corner.

Sunil Gavaskar Proposes Asia Cup Without Pakistan

In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, former Indian cricketer Gavaskar believes Pakistan could be excluded from the Asia Cup 2025, which is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka later this year. 

Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar said that the BCCI always follows government orders, and if the situation doesn’t improve, it’s unlikely that India will agree to play Pakistan.

“BCCI's stance has always been what the government of India tells them to do. So I don't think it would be any different when it comes to the Asia Cup. If things haven't changed, I can't see Pakistan now being part of the Asia Cup, which is going to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka,” Gavaskar said.

He also suggested a bigger possibility of disbanding the Asia Cricket Council (ACC). In that case, countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan might host a smaller four- or five-nation tournament instead. 

"It might be that the Asian Cricket Council could well be disbanded, and you could just have a three-nation tour. So that could well happen, the Asian Cricket Council could well be disbanded. It could well happen that India decides to pull out of the Asian Cricket Council. We can say look we're going to have a 4 or 5 nation tournament nation in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan," he added.

Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi’s Instagram Accounts Blocked In India 

In a strong move following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has blocked the Instagram accounts of several prominent Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Haris Rauf. 

The social media ban doesn’t stop with cricketers. Other well-known Pakistani figures, such as actress Hania Aamir, actor Ali Fazal, and Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, have also had their Instagram profiles restricted in India.