In view of tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of the recent confrontation between the two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to send teams both for the Men’s Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Monday.
As per the Indian media report, following the BCCI’s decision, India will not send its teams for the Men’s Asia Cup to be played in India in September and the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup to be played in Sri Lanka in June.
Quoting a BCCI official, Indian media has reported that the Indian team could not play in a tournament, which will be organised under the auspices of the Asian Cricket Council, whose president is Mohsin Naqvi, a Pakistani, who also holds a ministerial portfolio.
The official has said that for the time being, the Board has verbally informed the ACC of its decision to pull out of the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup.
He has further said that the BCCI has also put on hold the Indian team’s participation in the ACC’s other events. “In this connection, we are in contact with the government of India,” he added.
On the other hand, sources have told the 24News TV channel that so far the BCCI has not intimated the ACC about its decision to boycott both the tournaments.
BCCI rebuts Indian media reports
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refuted reports that the Indian team is boycotting the Asia Cup or the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup.
Secretary BCCI has said he has not said that India will boycott the event. “We have not decided on participating or pulling out of the tournament as yet,” he said and added, “There is no truth in such reports aired on Indian TV channels.”
Reporter: Wasim Ahmad