With tensions between India and Pakistan rising after the Pahalgam terror attack, it is now very likely that the 2025 Asia Cup will be cancelled. The strained diplomatic relations now severely jeopardise the future of the tournament. The deadly attack, which caused the death of a reported 26 civilians, worsened already-strained bilateral relations between these two countries. Now the terror attack has caught the attention of the world, and with constituents drawing borders down the line of each country's relationship histories, the question of whether or not the Asia Cup is a viable event becomes incredibly sensitive, as both countries are scheduled to participate in the Asia Regional Cup.

In an immediate response to the Pahalgam attack and its ramifications towards Pakistan, the government of India instituted immediate acts of diplomacy. The government of India was one of the first to suspend the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, which was a long-standing agreement with regards to water-sharing between the two countries; and once this was completed, it then stopped all visa services for Pakistan nationals. The turning of hearts and minds, the seriousness of the government regarding cross-border terrorism towards the sub-continent, was already in clear perspective.

With the apparent crackdown, a group of Pakistani citizens living in India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) were ordered to leave within 48 hours of the terror attack, and there was a fresh restriction on the travel for Pakistani nationals to enter India (under the VISA exemption scheme). The diplomatic action that followed calls into serious question whether or not the Asia Cup can actually go ahead - and in the broader context, what about the future of regional sporting events involving both India and Pakistan peacefully co-existing?

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India and Pakistan last played in the Champions Trophy 2025

The strained relationship between India and Pakistan continues to impact cricket significantly. The two nations haven’t played a bilateral series since the 2012-13 season, and their last Test series dates back to 2007. India has not toured Pakistan since 2008. Earlier this year, despite Pakistan being the official host of the Champions Trophy, India played all their matches in the UAE. Since bilateral cricket was suspended, the two sides have only clashed in ICC events and Asia Cups.

Their most recent encounter was in the Champions Trophy, where India emerged victorious and went on to win the tournament. However, given the ongoing political tensions, another India-Pakistan face-off in this year’s Asia Cup now seems very unlikely.