After the recent Pahalgam attacks, discussions surrounding India-Pakistan relations in cricket have intensified, particularly regarding upcoming competitions governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Speculation emerged suggesting that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) requested the ICC to prevent India and Pakistan from being grouped together in future tournaments. However, BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has publicly stated that the Board will adhere strictly to government guidelines and has denied any formal requests pertaining to team placements.
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Looking forward, the next significant ICC event is the Women’s ODI World Cup scheduled for September-October in India, where both India and Pakistan have qualified. Notably, this tournament will not feature groupings, as it follows an all-play-all round-robin format. The matches involving Pakistan will be held at a neutral venue, which the BCCI will finalize in due course.
Before this prestigious tournament, the ICC men’s Asia Cup, also hosted by the BCCI, is set to occur in September. Reports indicate that it will take place in a neutral country, with the location still being deliberated.
Interestingly, media rights for the Asia Cup, valued at $170 million over four editions, rely on an informal expectation of at least two India-Pakistan matches per event, a lucrative arrangement that highlights the significance of these encounters.
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In the last ICC men’s Asia Cup, held in a hybrid format, India and Pakistan were placed in the same group and faced off twice. While their second match was washed out, India ultimately claimed the title.
Future matchups will likely hinge on the prevailing political climate, making the dynamics between these two cricketing giants an intriguing subject for fans and analysts alike as we approach these upcoming events. The outcome of these matches could significantly impact the relations between the two nations, both on and off the field.
