BCCI breaks silence over reports of India pulling out of Asia Cup

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan post the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, reports had emerged that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has pulled out of the men’s Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup.

 

India are set to host the Asia Cup in September, while Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup is set to be held next month in Sri Lanka.

 

Contrary to the reports, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia clarified that the board has not made any decision regarding the tournaments, nor has it communicated any intention to withdraw from the events to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

 

"Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news reports that the BCCI has decided not to participate in the Asia Cup and the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both of which are ACC (Asian Cricket Council) events,” Saikia told ANI. “Such news are 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."

 

According to the reports, one of the key reasons for BCCI planning to pull out of the tournaments is that the ACC is currently headed by Mohsin Naqvi, who is both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, and the interior minister in the Pakistan government. Naqvi assumed the role after former BCCI secretary Jay Shah vacated the role after being named the chairman of the International Cricket Council.

 

Tensions between India and Pakistan reached its peak after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which killed 26 people. India responded by striking terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, as part of its Operation Sindoor. After days of exchanging fire, both the countries agreed upon a ceasefire on May 10.

 

The 2023 Asia Cup saw a hybrid model being adopted, with a part of the tournament taking place in Sri Lanka. India went on to clinch the title in Colombo while Pakistan failed to even qualify for the final.

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