In a major setback for regional cricket, India has apparently decided against participating in the 2025 Men's Asia Cup, putting Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) finances under tremendous pressure. If true, the decision can potentially cost the PCB as much as ₹220 crore, with the impact likely to be felt by broadcasters, sponsors, and surrounding cricket boards too.

As per various Indian media reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially notified the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) of its choice, quoting increasing political tensions and protesting against Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the PCB, heading the ACC. This increase is a fresh low in India-Pakistan cricket relations. Though the two teams haven't played a bilateral series for more than a decade, India's possible boycott of a multi-country tournament is being interpreted as an unprecedented move.

India's withdrawal can cost PCB dearly, jeopardizing Asia Cup revenues and future ambitions

The money at stake is enormous. Indian participation in ACC and ICC competitions generates an estimated ₹165–220 crore ($20–26 million) for each cycle for the PCB. Most of this comes from India-Pakistan matches, cricket's most-viewed encounters, generating record broadcast rights and advertising premiums. The Asia Cup broadcast rights, which were sold to Sony Pictures Networks India for a record $170 million for the 2024–2032 cycle, might now be negotiable. Without India participating, the tournament's sheen and its financial worth could plummet.

ALSO SEE: Ben Stokes shocks fans with unexpected decission ahead of India-England Test series and The Ashes

Every full member of the ACC is now entitled to 15% of the broadcast revenue from the tournament. A declining pool of revenue would affect Pakistan most, particularly in the wake of the financial beating suffered from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

The PCB had spent more than PKR 14 billion to enhance stadiums for the Champions Trophy, anticipating a big return. But India's refusal to tour Pakistan meant that the final had to be moved to Dubai. The outcome? Out-of-pocket losses of more than PKR 7 billion, with PCB now running on an overdraft of PKR 3–6 billion. While the board insists it made a PKR 3 billion profit from the event and claims fee cuts were part of a planned restructuring, it has begun trimming player match fees and domestic cricket budgets. Payment delays to players and officials have also raised eyebrows.

India’s absence puts the Asia Cup at risk, leaving regional teams and sponsors in uncertainty

India's withdrawal would also affect Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, which depend on Indian audiences for sponsorships and advertising revenue. Without India, the viability of the Asia Cup is in jeopardy. Broadcasters and sponsors might withdraw, and the women's event might meet the same fate. India has reportedly also withdrawn from the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup in June in Sri Lanka.

Beyond balance sheets, India’s absence would reduce global exposure for Pakistani players, limit sponsorship interest, and dent PCB’s digital reach, which is heavily dependent on Indian viewership. A BCCI official was quoted as saying, “The Indian team can't play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister. That's the sentiment of the nation.” Politically, the tensions have strained cricket relations previously, most prominently in 2023 when a hybrid model for the Asia Cup was devised following India's refusal to compete in Pakistan. However, an outright withdrawal from ACC events marks an aggressive posture.

The 2025 Men's Asia Cup, scheduled in T20 format as a lead-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup, hangs in the balance with this most recent standoff potentially having the tournament canceled or severely diluted. Until then, cricketing fraternity waits for confirmation. But if India stands its ground, the future of PCB and Asian cricket on the whole looks bleak on and off the cricket field.