The future of the upcoming Asia Cup hangs in uncertainty as India reportedly plans to skip the tournament. According to a report in The Indian Express, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided not to participate in both the Men’s Asia Cup and the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup, citing the current Asian Cricket Council being headed by a Pakistani official. The ACC, which oversees these tournaments, is currently led by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as chair of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). A BCCI insider explained the reasoning behind the withdrawal: "The Indian team can’t play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC whose chief is a Pakistan minister. That’s the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government," the source told The Indian Express. The Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup is due to be held in Sri Lanka this June, while the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 was planned to take place in India in September. The latter was to be conducted in the T20 format, acting as a lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup. India are the defending champions, having won the last Asia Cup in 2023 against Sri Lanka. Also READ: "He makes me aware when I make mistakes": Sai Sudharsan on Gill after record stand Asia Cup 2025 future uncertain without India India’s decision raises doubts about the future of the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament, which features the top Asian cricket nations including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, relies heavily on India’s participation not just for competitive balance but also for commercial viability. Most of the tournament’s sponsors and broadcasters are based in India, and the much-anticipated India-Pakistan rivalry draws remarkable viewership. WATCH: Injured Shreyas Iyer masterminds PBKS field tactics from the boundary Sony Pictures Networks India currently holds the broadcasting rights for the Asia Cup through an eight-year deal reportedly worth US$170 million. Should the tournament be canceled or postponed due to India’s withdrawal, the rights agreement would need to be reconsidered. Notably, Sony Pictures did not broadcast Pakistan Super League in India. India’s absence from ACC events is not unprecedented. Political tensions have previously affected cricketing events between the two countries. For example, in the 2023 Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan, India refused to travel there and instead played their matches in Sri Lanka. Similarly, during the 2024 ICC Champions Trophy, India staged their matches in Dubai rather than Pakistan, opting for a hybrid hosting model. While the BCCI has yet to release an official statement, sources say the decision aligns with the broader national sentiment following recent escalations in India-Pakistan relations.