The future of the Asia Cup 2025 has come under fresh uncertainty after India and Sri Lanka confirmed their absence from the upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled for July 24 in Dhaka. According to ACC sources, despite the absence of two of its most influential members, the meeting will go ahead as planned with online participation options extended to all boards.
India’s refusal to attend the Dhaka meeting comes amid rising political tensions with both Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to officially communicate its position on hosting the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on September 5. The high-profile India vs Pakistan clash is tentatively set for September 7, but with just over six weeks to go, final confirmation remains pending.
Bangladesh was chosen as the venue for the ACC meeting to coincide with the Pakistan vs Bangladesh T20I series, currently underway in Dhaka. The meeting was also seen as an opportunity to mark the return of the ACC to Bangladesh after several years. However, India has already deferred its scheduled August tour of Bangladesh to September 2026, officially citing international commitments. Sources, however, point to diplomatic friction as a more likely reason.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is also skipping the meeting, reportedly in solidarity with the BCCI. Their absence has raised further questions over the unity within the ACC ahead of what was supposed to be a decisive gathering. The meeting is expected to discuss the tournament’s final schedule, venue logistics, and the ongoing commercial concerns raised by broadcasters and sponsors.
The Asia Cup 2025 is officially being hosted by India, but due to the BCCI’s unwillingness to play Pakistan on home soil, the UAE is widely expected to serve as the neutral venue. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah have been shortlisted as host cities under the hybrid model. The ACC has sent a formal letter to the BCCI requesting clarity, but no reply has been received yet.
With less than two months left before the scheduled start of the tournament, the lack of resolution has created a ripple effect across all participating nations. ACC partners, including media rights holders and sponsors, are said to be growing increasingly anxious as marketing and monetization deadlines approach.
The absence of key decision-makers from the Dhaka meeting threatens to stall the finalization process further. The BCCI, meanwhile, continues to wait for clearance from India’s Ministry of External Affairs before making any commitments regarding participation or hosting.
As things stand, the ACC is determined to move forward with discussions, but without a firm consensus from all member boards, the Asia Cup 2025 remains in a state of limbo. The coming days could prove decisive not only for this tournament but also for the structure and stability of multi-nation events in Asian cricket.
Meanwhile, India’s Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently addressed concerns over Pakistan’s participation in the tournament, stating that the Indian government “has no problem” playing against Pakistan in international events such as the Asia Cup 2025. However, he reiterated that decisions on bilateral series still rest with the government. His remarks could support the hybrid model, under which matches involving Pakistan would be played in the UAE.
