Cricket no longer a ‘diplomacy’ tool in tense Asia
Once favoured for 'diplomacy' to ease tense relations, cricket now ranks among the worst-hit sports due to rising geopolitical factors, especially in Asia.
Recent decisions by the three giants—India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—reject 'cricket diplomacy' today. The decision of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) not to travel to India for its ICC T20 World Cup matches is the most recent nail in the ‘cricket diplomacy’ coffin.
India declined to visit Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy; Pakistan retaliated by skipping India for the T20 World Cup. The 2025 Asia Cup used a hybrid model with UAE venues, as did the ICC Women's World Cup—Pakistan played all matches in Sri Lanka. The BCB's announcement has cracked unity among Asian cricket nations, beyond mere hosting.
Teams have long requested relocations over security threats. Yet this is the first time three Asian boards have refused to play at each other’s soil and opening a new debate, if sport and politics shall go hand in hand.
Last year, the Indian team refused to carry the customary handshake with Pakistan’s cricketers in the Asia Cup and all other ICC events (men and women). The newly set trend may continue in the T20 World Cup, but with BCB jumping into the scenes, it will be to seen, if Bangladesh follows the suit against India — if they face each other in the knockouts. In the past, the BCCI had refused to send team to Pakistan during the 2013 Asia Cup, but in the 2011 and 2023 World Cup, India was the lone host of the event and Pakistan travelled to play matches here.
In recent years, major events like the Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, and Women's World Cup adopted hybrid formats, extending to the India-Sri Lanka T20 World Cup 2026—where Pakistan and Bangladesh shun India. Adding more to the chaos, the BCCI reportedly put India's scheduled 2026 tour of Bangladesh on hold and asked the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Bangladesh's pacer Mustafizur Rahman from his contract. Though early, the 2027 Asia Cup will be hosted by Bangladesh and played in the 50-over format, will it be India's turn to refuse travel?
Diplomacy heyday
Pakistan president Zia-ul-Haq visited Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium in 1987 to meet PM Rajiv Gandhi; India toured Pakistan in 2004 for its first full series in 15 years, as governments used cricket to mend ties.
Former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf visited India to watch a cricket match in April 2005. Later, Pakistan PM Yousuf Gilani accepted Indian PM Manmohan Singh's invitation to the 2011 World Cup semi-final at Mohali's PCA Stadium ( March 30)—the first India-Pakistan home match post-2008 Mumbai attacks.
