By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday denied reports that it has withdrawn from all Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events due to ongoing tensions with Pakistan, contradicting earlier claims published by Indian media.
“Such news [is] devoid of any truth as till now. BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said in a statement to Indian news wire ANI. “At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men’s and women’s.”
Saikia further clarified that no discussions about ACC events, including the Asia Cup, had taken place within the BCCI. “The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary,” he said. “It may be said that BCCI, as and when any discussion on any ACC events takes place and any important decision is reached, same will be announced through media.”
The denial comes in response to a report by The Indian Express, which claimed the BCCI had pulled out of all ACC-organized tournaments, including the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup scheduled for next month in Sri Lanka and the Men’s Asia Cup in September.
“The Indian team can’t play in a tournament organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation,” the newspaper quoted sources as saying.
The newspaper also reported that the BCCI had verbally communicated its withdrawal from the women’s event to the ACC and indicated that future participation in ACC events was “on hold,” with the board in constant consultation with the Indian government.
India and Pakistan, bitter rivals on and off the field, have not played bilateral cricket since 2007, limiting their encounters to neutral venues in international tournaments. The move follows the appointment last month of Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi as ACC president.
Tensions have long disrupted cricket ties between the neighbours. In 2023, Pakistan proposed a hybrid hosting model for the Asia Cup after India refused to travel there, while India played their ICC Champions Trophy matches in Dubai when the government blocked a trip to Pakistan.
India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir earlier this month urged a total suspension of cricketing ties with Pakistan, including ACC and ICC events.
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