The ongoing tensions along the India-Pakistan border are likely to leave a lasting mark on the cricketing ties between the two nations.

Although India and Pakistan have already stopped playing bilateral series, the escalating political strain could now threaten their participation in multi-nation tournaments as well.

With a Pakistani minister currently heading the Asian Cricket Council the governing body for cricket in the continent the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering withdrawing from this year's Asia Cup as part of an effort to further isolate the neighbouring nation.

The Asia Cup 2025 is set to be played in India, but with an India-Pakistan game becoming a distant possibility, the tournament loses most of its financial attraction. While others like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan also make money out of the tournament, the major pull has always been the India-Pakistan high-voltage encounter.

Given the current political situation, the BCCI appears reluctant to move forward with the Asia Cup plans. This could deal a financial blow to the Asian Cricket Council, headed by Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

'The Indian team can't play in a tournament that is organised by the ACC, whose chief is a Pakistani minister. That's the sentiment of the nation. We have verbally communicated to ACC about our withdrawal from the upcoming Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup, and our future participation in their events too is on hold. We are in constant touch with the Indian government,' Indian Express quoted a BCCI source as saying.

As most of the sponsors comes from India, the current anti Pakistan situation going in the country, makes it difficult for the BCCI to go ahead with the tournament plan.

In 2024, Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) acquired media rights of the Asia Cup for a price of 170 million US dollars. The agreement, however, would have to be redesigned if the Asia Cup does not occur this year. The 2023 Asia Cup hosted a hybrid model where a portion of the tournament was played in Sri Lanka. India proceeded to win the title in Colombo while Pakistan did not even qualify for the final.

Since the majority of sponsors for the Asia Cup are Indian, the prevailing anti-Pakistan mood in the nation makes it rather challenging for the BCCI to proceed with the plans for the tournament.