Asia Cup Set for September Launch as ACC Optimism Surges Amid Tensions

The Asia Cup saga might be nearing a resolution. Although definitive conclusions remain premature, a renewed sense of optimism surrounds the continental championship, contrasting sharply with previous uncertainty fueled by tensions between India and Pakistan.

India were champions of the previous edition of the Asia Cup in 2023 © Getty

While concrete details are pending, a formal decision could materialize next week. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) aims to release the schedule for the six-team tournament in early July, coinciding with their anticipated meeting.

The ACC is reportedly aiming for a September start, potentially on September 10, for the T20 format tournament, provided everything proceeds smoothly. The participating nations, besides India and Pakistan, are expected to include Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the UAE. Promotional activities for the event are reportedly already underway.

The UAE is still the leading candidate to host the Asia Cup. However, discussions are ongoing regarding a potential hybrid format. Although India is the designated host, the ACC previously decided that when India or Pakistan are scheduled to host the Asia Cup, the tournament will be held at a neutral venue.

Uncertainty clouded the tournament after the terror attack in Pahalgam in April. Tensions escalated further following India's Operation Sindoor against Pakistan in May, casting significant doubt on the tournament's feasibility. Calls for an Indian boycott of Pakistan in multilateral events also grew louder. India already refrains from engaging in bilateral cricket with Pakistan. There were even discussions about India's potential boycott of Pakistan in global events at the upcoming ICC meeting.

Recent developments in international cricket suggest a shift in the landscape. The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently unveiled schedules for two major events: the Women's ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the Women's T20 World Cup in England. India and Pakistan are slated to clash in both tournaments, on October 5 in Colombo and June 14 at Edgbaston, respectively.

While officials from the BCCI, ACC, and ICC have remained silent publicly, these schedules indicate that cricketing ties between the two rivals will continue, at least in global tournaments. These encounters are significant revenue streams for global cricket. Although the BCCI and India may not be heavily reliant on the revenue generated from these high-profile matches, governing bodies like the ICC, ACC, and their member boards are.