There is no truce in cricket! Pakistan minister at the head of Asian cricket, India pulls out of Asia Cup in protest
The Indian Cricket Board is firm on its stand. India does not wish to play cricket with Pakistan following the terrorist strike in Pahalgaon. They have informed the ICC not to keep the two nations in the same group in any match. In the meantime, India has also been learnt to pull out from the Asia Cup being hosted in their country. Following Jay Shah, chairman of the Pakistan Board, Mohsin Naqvi has now become the chairman of the Asian Cricket Council. He is also a Pakistani minister. It has been told that that is the reason why India has made this move.
In a report by the Indian Express, the Indian board has already made India's decision known to the Asian Cricket Council. India is not only pulling out of the men's Asia Cup but also the women's Emerging Asia Cup. The men's Asia Cup was to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in September this year. If India pulls out, the fate of the competition will be uncertain.
The official of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that the BCCI has done this in order to keep Pakistan cricket isolated. He added, "India will not play in any tournament conducted by a cricket council led by a Pakistani minister. It is a question of national sentiment. We have already informally told the Asian Cricket Board that we are withdrawing from the Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Asia Cup. We are even thinking if we should play in these tournaments in the future. We are consulting the central government."
As per board sources, they are well aware that it is nearly impossible to host the Asia Cup without India. Because the majority of the sponsors of this tournament are from India. Apart from this, if there is no match between India and Pakistan, then the broadcasting channel will not be interested either. Sony Sports Network have purchased the rights of the Asia Cup for eight years in 2024. They paid Rs 1453 crore for them. If India doesn't play, they are entitled to ask for a contract renegotiation.
