BCCI hits back after ex-England star suggests stop scheduling India-Pakistan matches at ICC events

The turmoil surrounding the 2025 Asia Cup has prompted suggestions to limit the amount of India-Pakistan matches at ICC events in future. A BCCI official dismissed these recommendations, stating that while it is simpler to have these discussions, there are no easy calls because there are numerous sponsors involved and the ultimate decision can only be made when the broadcasters and sponsors have given their consent.

Intense rivalry between the two teams characterised the continental showdown, which ended with Suryakumar Yadav's India declining to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), also the interior minister of Pakistan.

India and Pakistan faced off three times in the competition, with the former winning on all occasions. The event also marked the first meeting between the two after the Pahalgam terror assault and Operation Sindoor, hence tension was understandable.

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Suryakumar and his team refused to shake hands with the Pakistan players during the September 14 group stage match. As the animosity erupted, Pakistan players made obscene gestures during the Super Four match on September 21.

In the wake of current events, ICC was recommended by former England captain Michael Atherton not to hold any further matches between the two teams because of the present volatile situation.

"It's easy to talk about all this, but will sponsors and broadcasters agree to it? In today's situation, if any major team, not just India, withdraws from a tournament, it will be difficult to attract sponsors," a BCCI official was quoted responding to this suggestion in a Dainik Jagran report.

India has not yet received the silverware since they had refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi. It is unclear when Suryakumar Yadav and his team will get the title because Naqvi is still adamant about the Indian team collecting it from him.

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The Asia Cup trophy is in the ACC headquarters in Dubai, according to the Jagran report. Naqvi recently stated on social media that Suryakumar must travel to Dubai to collect the trophy from him if India wishes to have it.

Rajeev Shukla and Ashish Shelar, the BCCI representatives, and Naqvi got into a heated argument during a recent ACC meeting. Nonetheless, Naqvi continued to dodge questions and provided no definitive response regarding when he would hand over the trophy to India.

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