India's withdrawal from Asia Cup means loss of sponsorship, digital reach and spectators in the stadium. Less income for Asian Cricket Council means direct loss.

Highlights

• Will India launch an economic strike on Pakistan?
• Pakistan is sure to suffer a huge loss if India withdraws from Asia Cup
• Pakistan will lose earnings of Rs 220 crore

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Monday termed as "speculative and imaginary" the reports claiming that it has decided to withdraw from the Men's Asia Cup and Women's Emerging Team Asia Cup. If India gives up hosting the Asia Cup and withdraws from the tournament, it will be nothing less than an "economic surgical strike" on Pakistan.

Loss of Rs 165 to 220 crores

In fact, India's participation in the Asia Cup and ICC events earns the Pakistan Cricket Board an estimated ₹165-220 crores ($20-26 million) in each cycle. These matches are a major source of income on the global stage. India-Pakistan matches are always filled with record-breaking viewership and advertisements.

How will India's withdrawal harm Pakistan?

The broadcast rights for the Asia Cup 2024-2032 were sold to Sony Pictures Network India for $170 million, whose valuation is largely based on India's participation. India is the biggest player in this tournament. If it withdraws, it will have a direct impact on revenue, which will also affect PCB's profits. Currently, after the Asia Cup, ACC gives 15% of the broadcast revenue to each of its full member teams.

BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia said, 'At the moment our focus is on the ongoing IPL and the series to be held in England after that, which includes both men's and women's series. The issue related to Asia Cup or any other ACC competition has not come up for discussion at any level, so any news or report on this is completely speculative and imaginary. It can be said that whenever BCCI will discuss any ACC competition and any important decision will be taken, it will be announced through the media.'

The Pakistan Cricket Board was already in a bad shape

as despite investing 14 billion Pakistani rupees in renovating stadiums ahead of the Champions Trophy, India's refusal to play in Pakistan and the final being shifted to Dubai reduced expected revenues, leading to losses of over 7 billion Pakistani rupees (approximately ₹700 crores).

Why can India withdraw from Asia Cup?

Pakistan's Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi is also the President of Pakistan Cricket Board and also holds the post of ACC i.e. Asian Cricket Council President. Quoting sources, a media report has said that BCCI will not field Indian teams in two events of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) at a time when this cricket body is headed by a Pakistani and just a few days ago there was a military conflict between the two neighboring countries.

India has the hosting rights of Asia Cup.

Defending champion India will host the men's Asia Cup to be played in T20 format in September while Sri Lanka has got the hosting rights of the women's Emerging Team Asia Cup. Earlier, in the Asia Cup hosted by Pakistan in 2023 and the Champions Trophy in 2025, India played its matches in Sri Lanka and Dubai under the hybrid model.