BCCI Plans ‘Invisible Boycott’ of India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final: Report
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly planning an “invisible boycott” of the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan, scheduled for September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. According to a PTI report, no high-profile Indian cricket officials will be present at the match or during the post-match presentation ceremony.
This decision comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian residents. The incident has left a lasting scar, and many Indian fans have been vocal in their disapproval of the national team’s participation against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
Why an “Invisible Boycott”?
The BCCI is acutely aware of the sensitive political and public sentiment surrounding the India-Pakistan clash. Officials fear that their presence in Dubai—particularly sharing the stage with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi—could trigger backlash back home.
Sources suggest the board wants to avoid sending the wrong signal to grieving families and a nation still mourning the Pahalgam victims. Thus, the boycott won’t be official or declared publicly but will be reflected in the absence of top Indian cricket administrators from the high-profile final.
A Contrast From Earlier Matches
The stance marks a departure from the approach seen earlier this year during the Champions Trophy 2025 in February, when India played Pakistan. Back then, senior BCCI officials, including former president Anurag Thakur and ICC chairman Jay Shah, were spotted in the stands alongside PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ex-cricketer Shahid Afridi.
This time, the optics appear far more complicated, with tensions simmering after multiple India-Pakistan face-offs in the current tournament and the shadow of the April attack.
The Trophy Dilemma
One of the most delicate moments will be the presentation ceremony, where PCB chief and ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to hand over the winner’s trophy.
- If India wins, it would mean Naqvi presenting the trophy to an Indian captain or player in the absence of Indian officials.
- If Pakistan wins, Indian players may still receive individual awards directly from Naqvi.
Insiders say the BCCI has not yet finalized whether it will skip the post-match ceremony altogether.
“As of now, the information is that he will come this evening, and obviously, as ACC chairman, he will be giving away the winner’s trophy. Let’s see what the BCCI decides,” a tournament insider told PTI.
Public Backlash Expected
The controversy highlights the tightrope the BCCI is walking. On one side, Indian players are bound by tournament commitments under the ACC and ICC framework; on the other, officials face pressure from fans who believe playing Pakistan so soon after the terror attack undermines public sentiment.
With India and Pakistan meeting in an Asia Cup final after 41 years, the match was already billed as historic. The absence of Indian administrators in Dubai could now add another dramatic layer to one of cricket’s most emotionally charged rivalries.
