Pakistan-led ACC demands immediate answer from BCCI over Asia Cup 2025 participation

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has demanded an immediate answer from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding their participation in the Asia Cup 2025. Since tensions between India and Pakistan flared up in early May, doubts over the tournament taking place have emerged.

ACC presses BCCI over Asia Cup

Just yesterday, it was reported that the Asia Cup will commence on September 5. However, it turns out that BCCI hasn’t agreed to anything yet.

According to Times Now News, the ACC has written to the Indian board and asked them to provide an answer as quickly as possible. The Asian body wrote that they need to start the preparations 60 days prior to the event starting. If September 5 is indeed the start date, they need an answer by July 5. That is just three days away.

“We have been informed that in the absence of this information, their ability to plan effectively, allocate resources, and execute their campaigns is significantly constrained. In addition, to highlighting the challenges being faced by them, the media rights partner has highlighted obligations under the Agreement which commence 60 and 90 days prior to the commencement of the 2025 Tournament. Our sponsorship rights partner, TCM, have outlined the commercial concerns associated, particularly in terms of timelines required for effective monetization and activation planning,” ACC wrote to BCCI.

Fear of monetary loss

ACC also highlighted that they are facing pressure from TCM Sports and SonyLIV, their sponsors. Due to the hectic multinational schedule, the September window might be the only time the Asia Cup can be played. If that doesn’t happen, the Asia Cup perhaps can’t be held this year. It stressed that the tournament is the ACC’s only source of income, without which they can’t function.

“In addition, given the proximity of other major ICC and international events, both Sony and TCM have raised concerns that further delays could result in missed commercial opportunities that may not be recoverable due to existing scheduling and lead-time limitations. In light of this, and importantly, with fixtures for other major tournaments now confirmed, we are hoping to alleviate the concerns of our rights holders finalize the Asia Cup fixtures within this week. This is especially important for the ACC as the Men’s Asia Cup is the main source of income for the organization. We believe that further delays may poses the risk of our partners claiming breaches of Agreement and seeking discount.”

InsideSport understands that the BCCI is seeking permission from the Indian government to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. If the government has no issues, Team India will take part in the 6-team event.