Gavaskar Speaks Out on Asia Cup, Says Pakistan’s Participation Uncertain After Pahalgam Attack

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that India and Pakistan are unlikely to face each other in the upcoming Asia Cup especially after the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. With tensions between the two nations rising and India and Sri Lanka set to co-host the tournament, Gavaskar feels that Pakistan’s participation itself is doubtful.

Speaking to Sports Today, Sunil Gavaskar said, "BCCI's stance has always been what the government of India tells them to do. So I don't think it would be any different when it comes to the Asia Cup. India and Sri Lanka are the hosts for this particular edition of the Asia Cup, so it depends on whether things have changed at all, but if things haven't changed, I can't see Pakistan now being part of the Asia Cup, which is going to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka."

ACC’s Future Uncertain Amid India-Pakistan Tensions

Sunil Gavaskar said that the Asia Cup might turn into a four-team tournament if Pakistan doesn’t take part and teams like Hong Kong or the UAE could replace them. He also mentioned that the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) might even be shut down. But he added that the final decision will depend on how things go between India and Pakistan in the next couple of months.

"I don't know how it will be. It might be that the Asian Cricket Council could even be disbanded. We could end up having a three-nation or four-nation tournament instead, maybe with Hong Kong or UAE invited," Gavaskar said."But all of this depends on how things unfold between the countries in the next couple of months," Gavaskar added.

"It could very well happen that India decides to pull out of the Asian Cricket Council," Gavaskar said. "We might see a 4- or 5-nation tournament instead involving teams like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan. Even if the matches are played in Bangladesh or Sri Lanka, India would still be the host if it's officially their tournament," he added.