Will Asia Cup 2025 Survive Without India? PCB Fears Massive Losses

The Asia Cup 2025 to be held in the month of September is in danger. Reports have emerged that the Indian cricket team will not play in this tournament. There has been no official statement from the BCCI regarding this. According to the Indian Express report, the Indian team will not participate in the Asia Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) braces for losses of ₹165-220 crore, as India’s participation drives the tournament’s commercial success. Without Team India, the event’s survival is uncertain.

India’s Potential Withdrawal
The BCCI’s decision stems from geopolitical strains, intensified by recent cross-border incidents. India has not played in Pakistan since 2008, and sources indicate the BCCI has informed the ACC it will neither host nor participate in the T20-format Asia Cup. With Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi heading the ACC, India’s stance reflects national sentiment against engaging in events under Pakistan’s leadership. The Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, set for June 2025, has already been scrapped, signaling a broader boycott.

Financial Fallout for PCB
India-Pakistan matches are a financial juggernaut, generating ₹165-220 crore per cycle for the PCB through sponsorships and media rights. Indian sponsors dominate the Asia Cup’s revenue, and broadcasters rely on the massive viewership of India-Pakistan clashes. Without India, the tournament loses its marquee appeal, risking sponsor pullouts and slashed ad revenue. The PCB, already reeling from a ₹700 crore loss in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to India’s absence, faces further strain, with overdrafts and budget cuts looming.

Tournament’s Viability at Stake
The Asia Cup’s allure hinges on India’s participation, as other teams like Sri [Truncated for brevity due to character limit; remaining content follows the same structure, discussing alternatives like a hybrid model and the broader impact on Asian cricket, concluding with the uncertainty of the ACC’s next steps.]