India Reportedly Won’t Boycott Asia Cup 2025 Despite Pakistan’s Presence

Even the 2025 IPL season had to be halted midway, until both countries agreed to a mutual ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. Despite the tensions having seemingly eased, in India, there have been calls to boycott all matches against Pakistan, including those in ICC or Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events. India has not played a bilateral series with its next door neighbor since 2012, though group stage matches in major ICC tournaments remain common occurrences.

However, the BCCI refuted all reports of India withdrawing from the 2025 Asia Cup. It seems to have opened the door for the Asia Cup, as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is expected to formalize its plans in a meeting next week. The ACC also aims to release the schedule for the six-team tournament, featuring India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE, set to begin on 10 September, 2025.

Although India was initially anticipated to host this year, the ACC has altered its policy to now opt for a neutral venue whenever either India or Pakistan are designated as hosts. Thereafter, the Asia Cup would likely be played in the UAE. Several reports also suggests that an India-Pakistan match might be played, as the tie between the two arch-rivals remains the highest massive revenue generating source.

There are also reports suggesting the Asia Cup might adopt a hybrid model, similar to the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. During the tournament earlier this year, India played all its matches in Dubai, UAE, after refusing travel to Pakistan due to security concerns. Should Pakistan likewise decline to travel to India for the upcoming, all their matches could be held at a neutral venue.

Meanwhile, the ICC’s announcement of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup schedules also confirmed India’s continued participation alongside Pakistan in international cricket. During the ODI World Cup, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka later this year, India will face Pakistan in a group stage match in Colombo.

Smriti Mandhana’s Hundred Guides India Women to Record T20I Victory Over England

India Women claimed an impressive 97-run victory over England, taking a 1-0 lead over their opponents in a five-match T20I series. Indian skipper Smriti Mandhana, who won the POTM award, scored a 112-run knock off 62 deliveries, comprising 15 boundaries and three sixes, to power her team to victory. 

India Women side posted a massive 210 runs on the board, with Harleen Deol being the other contributor with 43 runs off just 23 balls. In response, England Women were bowled out for just 113 runs in 14.5 overs, with 20-year-old debutant Shree Charani claiming a brilliant four-wicket haul. For the Three Lions, Nat Sciver-Brunt was the only player to cross the 20-run mark, as she ended with 66 runs off 42 balls. 

England’s defeat marked their largest-ever margin of loss in Women’s T20Is, surpassing their 93-run defeat to Australia in 2019 by four runs. Meanwhile, India Women made history by becoming the first team to record consecutive 200-plus totals in the format, after their 217/4 against the West Indies last year.