The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has firmly dismissed reports suggesting that it has pulled out of the Asia Cup.
In a statement to ANI, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the board has not made any decision regarding upcoming Asian tournaments, nor has it communicated any intention to withdraw from the event to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
“The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary. It may be said that BCCI, as and when any discussion on any ACC events takes place and any important decision is reached, same will be announced through media,” Saikia told ANI.
Earlier on Monday, The Indian Express, quoting a BCCI source, reported that following the escalated tensions between India and Pakistan in wake of the terrorist attack on Pahalgam followed by Operation Sindoor, the board has decided to not play in tournaments organised by a body (ACC) which is currently headed by a Pakistani (Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s Interior Minister).
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister,” the publication quoted said source as further claiming. “That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government.”
India are scheduled to host the biennial Men’s Asia Cup in September.
For the record, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is the media rights holder to all ACC events in the subcontinent, having committed $170 million (Rs 1,452 crore) last year to seal an eight-year agreement. In case the tournament were to get cancelled, Sony could (and would) demand compensation or a complete reworking of the rights agreement.
