In a major development for women’s cricket in Asia, the much-anticipated ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2025 has been postponed. The tournament, which was originally scheduled to kick off on June 6 in Sri Lanka, has been deferred following a formal request from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The SLC President, Mr. Shammi Silva, addressed a letter to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) highlighting the pressing issues of adverse weather conditions and a chikungunya outbreak in the region, prompting serious health and safety concerns for players and staff.
Following deliberations over Mr. Silva’s appeal, the ACC confirmed the rescheduling of the tournament, prioritizing the welfare of the participants and acknowledging the uncontrollable environmental challenges Sri Lanka is currently facing.
Addressing the decision and underlining the ACC’s unwavering commitment to the development of women’s cricket across the continent, ACC President Mr. Mohsin Raza Naqvi stated, “The ACC is committed to providing opportunities for young women cricketers to develop their skills and compete at the highest level. We understand the strategic significance of this tournament in shaping the future of women’s cricket in Asia, and we will work diligently to reschedule the event at the earliest possible date.”
The council assured all stakeholders, from participating teams and players to commercial partners and fans, that fresh dates will be announced as soon as conditions permit, reinforcing its intent to preserve the continuity of the tournament and the opportunities it presents.
In a parallel development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has purportedly taken a decisive step, opting out of all Asian Cricket Council events indefinitely. This move comes in the wake of escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan. The BCCI’s decision, which has already been communicated to the ACC, includes an official withdrawal from the 2025 edition of the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, but the reports were later denied by the BCCI. This withdrawal holds weight, especially considering that India A were the defending champions from the tournament’s inaugural edition.
Interestingly, despite media speculation about India’s potential pullout, the BCCI had earlier dismissed such claims, branding them as unfounded. The twist lies in the fact that Mr. Mohsin Naqvi, who chairs the ACC, also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister and the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, further fueling discussions around the regional implications of the decision.
The ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup is a high-profile Twenty20 competition that brings together the top emerging female cricketers from Asia’s full member and associate nations. Introduced to fast-track talent and provide a global stage for young women, the tournament quickly became a fixture of strategic importance on the Asian women’s cricket calendar.
The tournament’s inaugural edition took place in Hong Kong in June 2023, with all matches hosted at the iconic Mission Road Ground in Kowloon. Eight teams participated—four A teams from full member countries with ODI status, and four of the top associate nations. Unfortunately, the event was heavily affected by weather disruptions. Out of 12 first-round matches, seven were completely rained out. Only Malaysia and United Arab Emirates managed to play more than one game, and even their clash was reduced to just 5 overs due to persistent rain.
The semi-finals, too, weren’t spared. While Bangladesh A defeated Pakistan A to seal their spot in the final, the other semi-final between India A and Sri Lanka A was washed out. India A advanced by virtue of topping the group stage. In the final showdown, India A triumphed over Bangladesh A with a convincing 31-run victory to clinch the title.
The group stage saw India A, Pakistan A, Nepal, and Hong Kong compete in Group A, with India A and Pakistan A moving into the semi-finals. Group B featured Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, UAE, and Malaysia, from which Bangladesh A and Sri Lanka A progressed to the knockouts.
The 2025 edition, expected to build upon the momentum of the inaugural season, now faces uncertainty. However, the ACC remains hopeful and proactive about rescheduling, aiming to uphold the tournament’s role in unearthing the future stars of women’s cricket across Asia.
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