BCCI Officials Boycott India vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final

India and Pakistan are set to clash in the Asia Cup 2025 final on Sunday in Dubai, but one big absence will be felt off the field. No official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be present at the Dubai International Stadium to watch the title clash.

The decision is consistent with earlier games. During both the group stage and Super Four encounters against Pakistan, no BCCI representative attended. At the time, reports suggested the board was mindful of public sentiment and calls for a boycott.

This weekend, there was another reason too. On the very day of the final, the BCCI held its Annual General Meeting in Mumbai, where Mithun Manhas formally took over as the new president, replacing Roger Binny.

Many other officials including secretary Devajit Saikia and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal were also part of the meeting. Although they wrapped up proceedings early, the new office-bearers chose not to travel to Dubai for the final.

That means, once again, the stands will have no Indian board members, even though Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi has already flown in and will hand over the trophy.

If India win and Suryakumar Yadav’s team decline to accept the prize directly from him, it could trigger another round of controversy.

On the field, India remain unbeaten in the tournament and have beaten Pakistan twice already. Abhishek Sharma’s runs were the defining factor in both victories, while the Super Four contest against Sri Lanka was their only real scare, a game decided in a Super Over.