 "India vs Pakistan matches have been the crown of ICC tournaments. Image: Reuters")
The Indian media reports are littered with news that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to boycott Pakistan as much as possible in International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, however, as it thing stands, those speculation or reporting seem incorrect.
The dastardly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam has resulted in the loss of at least 26 lives , leading to a rise in tension between India and Pakistan. As a result, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan, suspended the visa for Pakistani nationals and has asked them to leave the country.
As far as cricket is concerned, Team India has not been playing bilateral cricket with Pakistan since 2012-13 due to the poor relations between the neighbouring countries. Their cricket engagement only comes in ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events. They last met as recently as February in the Champions Trophy 2025 .
The BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has already announced that India will continue to boycott bilateral series against Pakistan even in the future, as he condemned the Pahalgam terror attack. He, however, said nothing about BCCI asking ICC to put India and Pakistan in different groups in future ICC events.
“We are with the victims and we condemn it. Whatever our government will say, we will do. We don’t play with Pakistan in bilateral series because of the government stand. And we will not play with Pakistan in bilaterals going forward. But when it comes to ICC event we play due to ICC engagement. ICC is also aware whatever is happening they will to it,” Shukla told Sports Tak.
Has BCCI asked ICC not to club India and Pakistan in same group?
Nonetheless, the news of BCCI asking to keep India away from Pakistan in ICC tournaments is going viral on social media and in media reporting. Many media houses have cited a Cricbuzz report to claim such an action by the BCCI. However, the devil is in the details.
The Cricbuzz report adds that there’s no truth to the speculations. In fact, as per the report, “a top BCCI office-bearer also told Cricbuzz that such a development is news to him.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThere’s a reason BCCI has not taken any such action yet.
There’s no ICC event lined up shortly besides the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup, which will be hosted in India. But as per the hybrid model agreed by the BCCI, ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the Pakistan team will play its matches at a neutral venue, which is still not decided.
The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup will be played in a single round-robin format, where each team plays all seven other teams, meaning there are no groups.
As far as India vs Pakistan in men’s cricket is concerned, the 2025 Asia Cup, which will be played in T20 format in September, is where the two teams are set to collide.
Asia Cup T20 set to face India vs Pakistan pressure
Considering the high price ACC has charged for media rights – $170 million for four editions – broadcasters will be hoping to see India and Pakistan in the same group to ensure at least one match between them. It could be at least two matches if both teams reach the Super Four and could be three matches as well if India and Pakistan reach the final.
The broadcasters have paid through the nose only for the India-Pakistan matches.
It will be interesting to see how BCCI and ACC navigate those demands in a time when tension has risen significantly between India and Pakistan. But there’s still some time to go for the tournament and things could change if matters de-escalate between the two countries.