Pakistan Could be Chucked Out of Asia Cup- Amid Pahalgam Fallout-Gavaskar

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and heightened Indo-Pak tensions, Sunil Gavaskar suggests Pakistan may be dropped from the Asia Cup and warns of the Asian Cricket Council’s possible dissolution.

May 3, 2025: The Asia Cup 2025 is now under a cloud of uncertainty, as cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has strongly hinted that Pakistan may not be allowed to participate due to escalating tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir. Gavaskar also predicted that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) could be disbanded altogether if diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan continue to deteriorate.

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Speaking to Sports Today, Gavaskar explained that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has historically aligned itself with the Indian government’s position on Indo-Pak cricket relations.

“The BCCI will follow what the government of India tells them to do,” Gavaskar stated. “With India and Sri Lanka co-hosting the Asia Cup, I can’t see Pakistan being part of it unless things change drastically.”

India has taken several diplomatic and economic measures against Pakistan in response to the April 22 attack, in which 26 civilians were killed, allegedly by Pakistan-based terrorists. These include banning Pakistani imports, cancelling visas, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.

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Gavaskar emphasized that the possibility of hosting a four or five-nation tournament—excluding Pakistan—was on the table. Teams like Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, UAE, or Hong Kong could be invited in lieu of a traditional Asia Cup format.

“If the situation doesn’t improve, don’t be surprised if ACC is dissolved. We might see India organizing its own multi-nation event,” Gavaskar added.

Earlier this year, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, opting to play all matches, including the final, in Dubai.

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Gavaskar concluded by reiterating the impracticality of sports diplomacy in the current climate:

“If you’ve got two countries fighting each other, it’s difficult to play sport with each other.”

With India clearly signaling a zero-tolerance approach toward Pakistan after the Pahalgam massacre, the Asia Cup’s future hangs in the balance, and the very existence of the ACC is under threat.

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