'No Risk Of India Not Playing Pakistan In Asia Cup': ECB Breaks Silence Amidst Wave Of Speculations

Fans unfurl the Pakistan (left) and India flags at Old Trafford in Manchester during the 2019 World Cup. Photo: AP

The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) has expressed confidence that India-Pakistan matches during the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 would go ahead as planned. The gala event will get underway on September 9, with the final scheduled on September 28. India and Pakistan will clash on September 14, with a possibility of the teams facing off in the Super 4s stage and the final.

ECB Chief Operating Officer Subhan Ahmed said that there was no chance of the two teams avoiding each other during the Asia Cup. Recently, the India Champions pulled out of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) final against Pakistan; however, Subhan said that WCL is a private tournament and cannot be compared to the Asia Cup.

“While I cannot give a formal guarantee, there is no risk of Pakistan and India not playing. The Asia Cup cannot be compared to private tournaments like the World Championship of Legends, where India refused to play against Pakistan in both the league stage and semi-final,” the ECB CEO said as quoted by Pakistan Observer.

The ties between India and Pakistan hit a new low after the Pahalgam attack, and there were calls to boycott Pakistan at global events. The BCCI didn't give a clear answer if they would play Pakistan in the Asia Cup, putting the tournament in jeopardy. However, the board later confirmed the team's participation.

Subhan said that the BCCI and PCB agreed to play the Asia Cup after getting required permission from their respective governments, adding that there is no possibility of the teams avoiding each other in the Asia Cup.

India, Pakistan, UAE and Oman are kept in Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong comprise Group B.

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