DHAKA (Kashmir English): The future of the Asia Cup 2025 has come under serious doubt after India and Sri Lanka decided to skip an important Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled to take place on July 24 in Dhaka.
The meeting was expected to finalize major decisions about the Asia Cup 2025, including its venue and match schedule. However, the absence of two key members, India and Sri Lanka, has created uncertainty and raised questions about whether the tournament will go ahead as planned.
Their refusal to attend has cast fresh doubts over the tournament’s future, particularly as political tensions continue to mount between India and Bangladesh, adding to the already frosty relations between India and Pakistan.
According to ACC insiders, the meeting will proceed as planned despite the absences, with an online participation option made available to all member boards. The session coincides with the Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I tri-series from July 20 to 24, which was one reason the ACC chose Dhaka as the venue. It would also have marked the first time in years that Bangladesh hosted an ACC gathering.
According to reports, India has refused to attend the ACC meeting due to ongoing political tensions with Bangladesh and concerns about the Pakistan-led ACC leadership. Sri Lanka, reportedly in support of India’s stance, has also chosen to stay away.
Despite being the official hosts, India is not expected to host the Asia Cup 2025, with the UAE looking like a neutral option. The ACC has reportedly already sent an official letter to the BCCI seeking clarity on whether India still intends to host the Asia Cup. As of now, no reply has been received, leaving participating nations in limbo as they await confirmation of the tournament’s venue and viability.
ACC meeting on Asia Cup 2025 to move forward despite setbacks
Despite these setbacks, the ACC has decided to move forward with the meeting in Dhaka. Member nations have been offered the option to attend online if they cannot be there in person. The meeting was deliberately timed during the Pakistan-Bangladesh T20 tri-series to encourage participation and also to mark a significant occasion for Bangladesh, which rarely hosts ACC events.
With less than two months to go before the scheduled start of the Asia Cup 2025, time is quickly running out. Unless the BCCI responds soon and member boards can reach a consensus, the tournament may once again fall victim to the uneasy ties that continue to shape South Asian cricket diplomacy.
In light of the situation, the ACC has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to seek clarity on its role and hosting intentions for the Asia Cup 2025. If no clear response is received soon, the tournament could be shifted to a neutral venue such as the UAE.
