The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request that India and Pakistan not be placed in the same group in any ICC tournament. This move comes after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives.
Implications for Upcoming Tournaments
The BCCI’s decision has significant implications for upcoming ICC tournaments. The next major ICC event is the Women’s ODI World Cup, scheduled for September, which India will host. Pakistan has already qualified for the tournament. In men’s cricket, the next ICC tournament is the T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March 2026.
Asia Cup Concerns
The BCCI’s concerns are more pressing for the Asia Cup, scheduled to take place this year. India is the host, but there’s a possibility that the tournament might be held at a neutral venue due to concerns over Pakistan playing their matches in India. The two teams are currently in Group A, along with UAE and Hong Kong. The tournament’s schedule is expected to be released in May, and it remains to be seen whether India and Pakistan will be kept in the same group.
- India and Pakistan are currently in Group A of the Asia Cup.
- The tournament’s schedule is expected to be released in May.
- There’s a possibility that the Asia Cup might be held at a neutral venue.
- The BCCI and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are yet to reach an agreement on the tournament’s logistics.
If the tension between the two boards continues, there’s even a possibility that the tournament might be canceled. The BCCI’s request to the ICC is likely to be a significant factor in determining the grouping for future tournaments.