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The cricketing world is reeling with speculation following a promotional broadcast during Day 5 of the England vs India Headingley Test, which conspicuously omitted any visual representation of Pakistan for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The promo, aired on Tuesday, exclusively featured the captains of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, raising significant questions about Pakistan’s involvement in the continental tournament.
No Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025?
The Asia Cup, slated for September 2025 in the T20 format, typically includes the five full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC): India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, alongside qualifying teams. However, the unexpected absence of any Pakistani player in the promotional clip, which showcased Suryakumar Yadav (India), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh), has fueled widespread confusion among fans and analysts. Many are left wondering if the tournament will now proceed as a tri-series or if Pakistan have been outright excluded.
🚨 ASIA CUP ON SONY SPORTS 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wley67Vzp8
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 24, 2025
Social media platforms quickly erupted with theories and concerns. Users pointed to the fraught political relations between India and Pakistan as a potential underlying cause, while others expressed dismay at the prospect of an Asia Cup lacking the fierce rivalry and competitive edge that Pakistan’s presence traditionally brings.
India-Pakistan conflict across border
This latest development unfolds against a backdrop of severely strained Indo-Pak cricketing ties. Bilateral series have been suspended for years, and the situation intensified following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, and India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor. Further compounding the uncertainty, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had reportedly communicated its decision to withdraw from ACC events, citing discomfort with the ACC’s leadership under Pakistan’s Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
As per multiple reports, the BCCI have reportedly emphasized “national sentiment” and a “conflict of interest” as primary justifications for their reluctance to participate in tournaments overseen by a Pakistani official. This stance has cast a significant shadow over the Asia Cup’s future, particularly as India, the defending champions after their dominant performance in 2023, was set to host the tournament. While reports from May 2025 indicated a BCCI pullout from all ACC events, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had denied such reports, stating no official decision had been made. This latest promo, however, suggests a potential shift in the narrative or at least a highly sensitive situation.
Also READ: Is India pulling out of Asia Cup and other ACC events? BCCI Secretary clears the air
