India withdraws from Asia Cup amid tension with Pakistan.
India is continuously trying to make tense relations with Pakistan, as it has decided not to participate in the upcoming Asia Cup event due to tensions with Pakistan.
Reports said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to play in the Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, leaving the cricket events in limbo.
The Indian cricket board said the Asian Cricket Council has been verbally informed, stating that the current chairman of the Asian Cricket Council is Mohsin Naqvi, and “we cannot be part of a tournament headed by a Pakistani minister”.
A BCCI official stated that the rest of the scheduled ACC events have also been put on hold.
On the other hand, some reports claimed that the Indian board has not formally notified the Asian Cricket Council about the withdrawal.
Later in the day, however, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia refuted the news, telling Indian outlet ANI, “Such news [is] devoid of any truth as till now. BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC.
“At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men’s and women’s.”
He continued: “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.”
India has not played bilateral cricket against Pakistan since 2007 due to tense relations between the countries.
