Explained: Why BCCI Officials Won’t Attend India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Final | Cricket News

India are all set to take on arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup on Sunday, September 28, in Dubai. Led by T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav, unbeaten India enter the final as firm favourites, having already beaten Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan twice in the tournament.

Notably, no BCCI official travelled to Dubai for either the group stage or Super 4s clash between India and Pakistan. During the Group A game, Dainik Jagran reported that the board had assessed the public mood and boycott calls before deciding to skip the match.

On Sunday, September 28, BCCI held its AGM in Mumbai, where Mithun Manhas replaced Roger Binny as the new president of the board.

Other BCCI officials, including board secretary Devajit Saikia and Indian Premier League chairman Arun Dhumal, attended the crucial meeting, which started at 12 pm.

The officials wrapped up the meeting early and flew to Dubai to watch the India-Pakistan clash, while the newly elected officials chose to remain in India and skip the crucial game.

As with the previous two encounters, no BCCI official will attend the match live at the stadium. Rajeev Shukla, BCCI’s current vice-president, serves on the ACC’s Executive Board as well.

ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister as well, has already arrived in Dubai and is all set to present the trophy to the winners.

To add fuel to the fire, Naqvi has been putting cryptic but provocative posts on his ‘X’ timeline.

On paper, though, India are unbeaten juggernauts in the tournament, Sri Lanka alone pushing them to a Super Over in six consecutive victories overall.

Pakistan, by contrast, stumbled and staggered to the finale. But as their head coach, Mike Hesson noted after defeating Bangladesh: “The final is the only match that counts.”