Pakistan outside the Asia Cup 2025? Promotion during England vs India Headingley Test lifts the eyebrows

The cricketing world is returned with speculation after a promotional emission during Day 5 of the Headingley Test of England and Indiawhich obviously omitted any visual representation of Pakistan for the next Asia Cup 2025. The promotion, published on Tuesday, exclusively presented Indian captains, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, raising important issues on Pakistan’s participation in the continental tournament.

No Pakistan in Asia Copa 2025?

The Asia Cup, scheduled for September 2025 in T20 format, usually includes the five full members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC): India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh Bangla and Afghanistan, next to the standings. However, the unexpected absence of no Pakistani player in the promotional clip, who showed Suryakumar Yadav (India), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh), has fueled a widespread confusion among fans and analysts. Many are being asked if the tournament will now continue to be tri-erected or if Pakistan has been excluded.

🚨 Asia Cup in Sony Sports 🚨 pic.twitter.com/wley67vzp8

– Johns. (@Criccrazyjohns) June 24, 2025

Social media platforms quickly exploded with theories and worries. Users pointed out the political relationships between India and Pakistan as a cause of potential underlying, while others expressed dismaying in the face of a Asia Cup that did not have the fierce rivalry and competitive advantage that the presence of Pakistan traditionally provides.

Also read: ENG VS IND – Fans react While Duckett Makes Century Century Figures, England triggers Bazball in Headingley

India-Pakistan conflict through the border

This last development is deployed in a context of Indo-Pak-Pak Cricketing links. The bilateral series have been suspended for years and the situation was intensified after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025 and the subsequent operation of India Sindoor. In addition to uncertainty, the Cricket Control Board in India (BCCI) had announced its decision to withdraw from the ACC events, citing discomfort with the ACC leadership under Pakistan Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who also exercises President of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to several reports, the BCCI emphasized the “national sentiment” and a “conflict of interest” as primary justifications for its reluctance to participate in tournaments supervised by a Pakistani official. This stance has launched a significant shadow about the future of the Asia Cup, especially as India, the champions defending after its dominant performance in 2023, she welcomed the tournament. Although the reports in May 2025 indicated a BCCI withdrawal from all ACC events, the Secretary of BCCI Devajit Saikia had denied these reports, saying that no official decision had been made. This last promotion suggests a potential change in the narrative or at least a highly sensitive situation.

Also read: Does India leave the Asia Cup and other ACC events? BCCI secretary erases air