Islamabad, June 25, 2025: As cricket enthusiasts gear up for the 2025 Asia Cup, a new round of rumours has surfaced regarding Pakistan not participating in the tournament due to a conspicuous absence in a teaser poster released by the event’s official broadcaster.
The poster—marking the initial confirmation that the Asia Cup is on track—is not an official ACC release and was aired solely in India. It showcases the captains of India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, but noticeably leaves out Salman Ali Agha.
In a sport where every piece of promotional content is deliberately designed for fans, this exclusion has raised eyebrows. With just under three months remaining until the Asia Cup, anticipated in the T20 format this September, the subtle messaging has further fueled division.
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There had been talks of India potentially opting out of the 2025 Asia Cup, though those were soon put to rest. Pakistan, too, reaffirmed its participation—on the condition of a neutral venue.
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This isn’t the first instance where the tournament has become entangled in geopolitical tension. The 2023 edition had to adopt a split-hosting model when India declined to visit Pakistan. Matches were held in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
