BCCI Makes Last-Minute Call to Attend Crucial Asia Cup Meeting

In a dramatic turn of events, the BCCI has confirmed its participation in Thursday’s crucial Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Annual General Meeting — albeit virtually. The meeting, set to take place in Dhaka, will play a pivotal role in deciding the fate of the upcoming Asia Cup, which India is supposed to host in September in the T20 format.

“Yes, we have decided to attend the meeting virtually,” a senior BCCI official told Hindustan Times, requesting anonymity. The BCCI had earlier threatened to boycott the AGM altogether due to the rising political tension between India and Bangladesh. With growing concerns over security and political instability in the neighbouring country, the Indian board had already put its August tour of Bangladesh on hold and urged the ACC to consider moving the meeting elsewhere. At one point, the possibility of a no-show by India, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan loomed large — and that would’ve left the meeting without the required quorum, rendering it invalid. 

However, in a change of stance, the BCCI has now decided to be present virtually. Vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who also serves as the Indian representative on the ACC board, will attend the meeting online. According to an ACC source who spoke to PTI, “Since the venue with regards to the Asia Cup needs to be finalized, BCCI decided to attend the meeting virtually.” 

The tournament itself still hangs in the balance. If given the go-ahead, the Asia Cup is expected to shift to the UAE while India retains its hosting rights. But even if the event goes ahead smoothly, there's another thorny issue still unresolved: whether India will face Pakistan.  

Recent developments — including the terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor — have reignited public anger against sporting ties with Pakistan. The pressure has been building ever since the World Championship of Legends match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions was called off. The backlash was fierce, with fans slamming Indian players for agreeing to play. Eventually, Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina all withdrew on the eve of the game, forcing organizers to cancel the match altogether. 

That sentiment is likely to weigh heavily on the BCCI’s future decisions. Even if India and Pakistan are placed in separate groups, the tournament format would almost certainly see them meet in the Super 4 stage — and possibly even the final. For now, though, all eyes are on Thursday’s meeting and what it means for the Asia Cup’s fate — and perhaps more critically, for the future of India-Pakistan cricketing ties.