 "BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia added that an announcement on the Asia Cup and other ACC-related matters will be made in due course. PTI")
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed reports suggesting the board withdrew India from upcoming Asian events, including the Men’s Asia Cup that is to take place in September later this year. Saikia added that the BCCI is yet to even discuss matters pertaining to upcoming ACC events, let alone write to the Dubai-based organisation, and that the board is presently focused on the ongoing Indian Premier League and India’s upcoming tour of England.
“Since this morning, it has come to our notice about some news items about BCCI’s decision not to participate in Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC’s events,” Saikia was quoted by Cricbuzz as saying.
“Such news are devoid of any truth as till now BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the upcoming ACC events, leave alone writing anything to the ACC.
“At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men and women,” Saikia added.
Saikia’s statement comes in response to a report on The Indian Express that quoted a BCCI source claiming that the board has boycotted upcoming continental events due to the Asian Cricket Council being led by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the country’s Federal Interior Minister.
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View AllBCCI will take call on Asia Cup in due course, says secretary Saikia
Saikia, who succeeded current ICC chairman Jay Shah as the BCCI secretary in December, added that an announcement on the Asia Cup or any other ACC event will be made in due course.
“The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary. It may be said that BCCI will announce in due course as and when any discussion on any ACC events should take place or any key decision is reached,” he added.
Also Read | How Pakistan cricket, Asia Cup will be impacted if BCCI withdraws
The Men’s Asia Cup was originally scheduled to be hosted by India in September but is likely to be moved to a neutral venue – either UAE or Sri Lanka – as things currently stand.
India, additionally, are expected to face Pakistan at least twice and potentially thrice under the current format. However, an Indo-Pak contest appears highly unlikely after the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that was followed by a military standoff between the two nuclear-armed nations.