Tensions between India & Pakistan have been heightened on account of the former's precision strikes. India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on Wednesday, May 07, vanishing terrorist camps in the neighboring country and in the Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Revenge was served cold by the Indian government in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 innocent lives on April 22. India's terrific response has now prompted Pakistan to retaliate strongly. However, a likely nuclear war scenario could have adverse effects from a cricketing point of view, as India is set to host the Asia Cup in August-September 2025.
Not only that, but India is also set to host the Women's ODI World Cup in September-October, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in February-March 2026. While there is no official confirmation from Indian Government with regards to war, all three big events are in major jeopardy. Neither BCCI nor ICC have officially spoken if the ongoing events will be impacted. ICC Chairman Jay Shah is keeping tabs on the current situation.
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“We don’t know yet. The situation is evolving, and we still have 4-5 months left for the Asia Cup and the Women’s World Cup. There has been no discussion with the ICC regarding shifting the venues or postponing it. We are monitoring the situation, and so is ICC. We will take a call when it’s appropriate,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
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India, Pakistan, & history of wars
For the unversed, this is not the first time India & Pakistan are at a crossroads concerning war and cricket being impacted. However, it is to be noted that previous wars, barring the 1971 war between these two Asian giants, have not hurt cricket. It took seven long years for cricketing ties to resume between India & Pakistan after the 1971 war. Later on, in several wars like the Kargil War in 1999, the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai, and the Pathankot attack in 2016, India & Pakistan played matches within one year after the attack took place respectively in those years.
However, this time the situation is all-together different and India might not play cricket with Pakistan anytime sooner. Also, several former cricketers like Sourav Ganguly, Guatam Gambhir, and Manoj Tiwary have voiced their opinions on not playing cricket with Pakistan anymore.
Will the Asia Cup 2025 be postponed?
In all probabilities, the Asia Cup 2025 event is likely to be postponed, or the situation could arrive that it will also not happen this year. Currently, India is the host of the Continental Cup. However, as per the latest agreement between India vs Pakistan cricket matches will be played at neutral venues. Things could take a nasty turn, with Mohsin Naqvi is in charge of ACC. However, BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla and former treasurer Ashish Shelar, members of ACC, things could be improved if IND vs PAK matches are played in the Asia Cup.
Cricketer-turned-expert Sunil Gavaskar stated on current political situation between the two Asian Countries, it could happen that even the Continental Cup could be banned.
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“BCCI’s stance has always been what the government of India tells them to do. So, I don’t think it would be any different when it comes to the Asia Cup. India and Sri Lanka are the hosts for this particular edition of the Asia Cup. So, it depends on whether things have changed at all. But if things haven’t changed, I can’t see Pakistan now being part of the Asia Cup, which is going to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka,” Gavaskar told Sports Today.
Currently, there are more than four months for the Asia Cup and Women's ODI World Cup to take place in India. Everyone would be hoping and praying the situation will ease, and cricketing action resume between India vs Pakistan.
