Table Of Contents
The military tension between India and Pakistan in May has affected the entire regional cricket structure. India's stand has been very clear - national security is paramount, and the country is bigger than the game. Sports relations with Pakistan cannot improve until the incidents of firing and infiltration on the border stop.
On the other hand, relations between India and Bangladesh have also not been very cordial in recent months. From strategic activities in the Bay of Bengal to the Rohingya issue, there are many points where the attitude of both countries has soured. Meanwhile, India's tour of Bangladesh, which was to take place in August 2025, has now been postponed till September 2026.
The BCCI has the right to host this year's Asia Cup, but due to the Indo-Pak dispute, the idea of organising it in the United Arab Emirates has come up. However, a final decision has not been taken yet. The BCCI wants Pakistan to clarify its position on playing against India.
At the same time, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is hosting the meeting in Dhaka, but BCB President Aminul Islam clearly said that they are only making arrangements, and the decision will be taken by the ACC.
While addressing the press, Aminaul talked about Bangladesh hosting the ACC meeting and said, "We agreed with the ACC to organise this year's AGM. It is an ACC programme. We are providing them with logistical support. That's all we are doing.”
Pakistan Cricket Board and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi were personally welcomed by BCB president Aminul Islam and CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury at the Dhaka airport on Wednesday evening. This was followed by a grand dinner in the evening, and the formal programme of the meeting began on Thursday.
Important topics like the dates, venues, and status of the participating teams are expected to be discussed in the meeting. However, the main issue remains the same—can India and Pakistan play against each other?
India's stand has been straightforward and clear. When Indian soldiers are killed on the border, talking about friendship on the cricket pitch seems futile. Sports can become a bridge in times of peace, but when there are war-like situations, the same bridge breaks.
BCCI are giving priority to national interest at this time. Bilateral cricket with Pakistan has been stopped for a long time and will continue to be so until the situation changes.
The Asia Cup is the biggest tournament in Asian cricket, but the political situation has affected its credibility. There have been constant controversies over the organisation of the tournament for the last few years; sometimes about the venue, sometimes about the participation of teams. This time, the matter has become even more complicated. India also did not travel to Bangladesh due to the political instability between the two nations and the instability in Bangladesh as well.
Cricket has always been a matter of emotion for the people of this subcontinent, but when there is tension on the borders, when political relations deteriorate, then it is natural to raise the question: can cricket forget everything and move forward?
India has taken the right stand. The primary condition for any sporting event should be security. When the country's borders are not safe, then imagining harmony on the field can be dangerous. This is disappointing for sports lovers, but it is the harsh truth.
At present, the future of the Asia Cup stands at a political juncture where more important questions than cricket are demanding answers. Even if the tournament is cancelled, it will probably be the right decision - because no trophy can be bigger than the security of the country.
President of the Asian Cricket Council, Mohsin Naqvi, posed for a group photograph with office bearers from 24 other ACC member countries during the annual general council meeting held in Dhaka.
Mohsin Naqvi with ACC members at the Dhaka meeting (Image courtesy: Pakistan Cricket Official Channel)
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