The Asia Cup 2025 has always been a troubled soul and it has struggled to cast off this characteristic. Originally meant to be hosted by India, the position was scuppered by recent Indo-Pakistan political tensions. These led to a situation in which neither’s cricket teams will play in each other’s countries for the time being. India chose to delay its decision to join the tournament until the last minute, causing administrative headaches. Once underway, the infamous “no-handshake” incident in the first India vs Pakistan match was the basis for a further souring of relations.