India’s grandstanding on the matter of its unilateral declaration of the terms and conditions under which it will play arch enemy Pakistan in the Asia Cup could finally have a pushback in the omly arena where the BCCI really cares when push comes to shove – money.
If a resolution is not reached soon regarding the hosting of the Asia Cup 2023 due to BCCI’s position on the matter, a lucrative media rights deal between the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Disney Star may be at risk, Times of India reports.
It bears noting that Star India had acquired the global media rights of the Asia Cup for a period of eight years, running from 2016 to 2023. The events that were are included under the agreement were: Asia Cup, Women’s Asia Cup, Emerging Asia Cup and U19 Asia Cup to be held from 2016 – 2023.
As per the terms of the long-term agreement between the ACC and Disney Star, it is necessary for Pakistan and India to face each other at least twice or thrice in the regional multi-team competition. If India were to withdraw from the tournament in Pakistan, the broadcaster could suffer significant financial losses due to the absence of exciting India-Pakistan matches.
As per reports doing the rounds, there are proposals that suggest allowing other participating nations to play in Pakistan while moving the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match to the UAE. Additionally, if India and Pakistan advance to the final, the summit clash could take place in the UAE.
However, a worst-case scenario could involve a potential retaliation by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) if BCCI decides not to send its team to Pakistan. The PCB may consider not participating in the Asia Cup or declining to travel to India for the World Cup later this year.
A PCB official mentioned that the participating nations’ agreement for the Asia Cup includes a force majeure clause that permits the relocation of the tournament, but this is contingent on the host country’s decision.
“It is not possible to have the Asia Cup without Pakistan and India matches. This is the understanding on which the agreement is based,” the source told TOI. “Without Pakistan and India matches, the broadcasting agreement goes awry,” he warned.
The upcoming 50-over World Cup, set to take place in October-November of this year, has elevated the importance of the Asia Cup. This is because all the continental teams participating in the ICC event would be eager to compete in the Asia Cup prior to the major tournament.
