BCCI Dismisses Rumors of Segregating India and Pakistan in ICC Events

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has refuted speculations suggesting that it formally requested the International Cricket Council (ICC) to keep India and Pakistan in separate groups for upcoming global tournaments.

The conjecture, which followed the recent incidents, has led to considerable discussion but lacks a solid basis.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla clarified that any decisions concerning Pakistan’s participation in international competitions would be made in coordination with the Indian government.

Additionally, sources within the BCCI have verified that no official correspondence on this topic has been initiated with the ICC.

Despite the delicate nature of current cricketing relations between India and Pakistan, there are no formal initiatives underway to modify the tournament’s grouping structure at this time.

Looking forward, the international cricket schedule is relatively calm, with no ICC events scheduled until the Women’s ODI World Cup in September-October 2025, hosted by India.

Pakistan has already secured a spot in the eight-team competition, which will feature a round-robin format, ensuring all teams play each other without needing group divisions.

Matches involving Pakistan are anticipated to be held at a neutral venue, with the BCCI responsible for selecting the location, although India is the host nation. The final decision is still pending.

Prior to the Women’s World Cup, attention will turn to the men’s Asia Cup, for which India possesses hosting rights.

However, the tournament will take place at a neutral site, targeted for September. The prospective host country, either the UAE or Sri Lanka, remains unconfirmed.

The Asia Cup’s format is shaped by commercial interests, with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) securing a $170 million media rights agreement for four editions.

This agreement includes an informal provision for a minimum of two India-Pakistan matches per tournament, potentially increasing to three if both teams reach the final. The 2025 edition is projected to generate $38 million, slightly under the $42.5 million average.

In the 2023 Asia Cup, India and Pakistan were in the same group and encountered each other twice — once during the group phase and again in the Super Four stage. The second game was abandoned due to weather, and Pakistan did not advance to the final.

India proceeded to win the tournament, defeating Sri Lanka decisively in the final.

The host nation and tournament layout for the upcoming Asia Cup are yet to be determined, despite initial expectations of an announcement in May.