Is Pakistan Really Getting Kicked Out of Asia Cup? Sunil Gavaskar Makes a Shocking Prediction

The cricketing community has been abuzz ever since Sunil Gavaskar presented his out-spoken opinion regarding the destiny of the Asia Cup and the Asian Cricket Council. With political tensions between India and Pakistan mounting after a ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 tourists Gavaskar feels that the participation of Pakistan in the Asia Cup is highly unlikely. Actually he went a step further and stated that the whole Asian Cricket Council could even be dissolved based on the turn of events in the next few months. This has posed serious doubts regarding the fate of the tournament and if the Asia Cup is going to take place at all this year.

India and Sri Lanka will co-host the Asia Cup this year but the venues and dates are yet to be decided. The political situation now has left organizers finding it difficult to proceed confidently. A recent report had stated that the Asia Cup could be canceled completely this year due to the continued tensions. Gavaskar has stated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India will always do as the Indian government advises and if the government tells them not to play against Pakistan then that's just what will be done. That means Pakistan could be excluded from the tournament even if the tournament happens.

Gavaskar said that if India and Pakistan are not able to play together then it is a huge issue to organize the Asia Cup. Under those circumstances the BCCI might choose to host some other event. He said that there may be a three nation or four nation tournament in place of the Asia Cup. Other nations such as Bangladesh Afghanistan Sri Lanka and perhaps even Hong Kong or UAE may be invited to participate. In this manner cricket can still be organized in the region even when the classical version of the Asia Cup cannot be organized.

He even went on to state that if things do not get any better sooner the Asian Cricket Council may be closed down entirely. That would be a major change in how cricket is managed in Asia. The ACC was formed to promote the sport in the region and organize tournaments like the Asia Cup. But if two major teams like India and Pakistan cannot compete together then keeping the council going may not make sense anymore. This indicates to what extent politics and sports are intertwined particularly that of India and Pakistan.

Gavaskar made clear that the Indian board will follow what the government decides. If the government is not comfortable with playing Pakistan then India will not participate in any event where Pakistan would be playing. He said that the Asia Cup can still take place in India or Sri Lanka or even Bangladesh but without Pakistan. The plan would be to sustain cricket in the region without allowing political matters to end the game altogether. An event of a multi nation nature with other Asian nations could be the solution if Pakistan is excluded.

It is not the first time cricket has been hit by politics but this time it looks more serious than ever. Gavaskar's prophecy regarding the Asian Cricket Council being dissolved is not only melodramatic but also very plausible considering the situation. If the ACC disintegrates then a new structure will have to be devised to ensure teams from Asia play competitive cricket. Perhaps the three or four nation tournaments will be the new normal for some time.

It all depends upon the next few months. If things improve between India and Pakistan perhaps things can return to normal. But if the tensions persist then cricket in Asia may undergo a sea change. Fans may not be able to witness the high voltage India vs Pakistan games that normally attract huge crowds and immense attention. That will be disappointing to many but safety and politics will always take precedence.

Finally Gavaskar has merely told the truth which many people are thinking but hardly anyone is daring to voice it out. The fate of the Asia Cup remains uncertain and there are little chances of Pakistan being able to participate. If the Asian Cricket Council manages to overcome this crisis only time can tell. As things stand it looks like the cricket in Asia is going towards great changes and supporters should be prepared for an entirely different tournament this year.