Will Pakistan Be Eligible To Play Asia Cup After Being Discarded From The Asian Region By World Bank?

Pakistan shifted from South Asia region by World Bank [Source: AFP]

Amidst the T20 World Cup and the 50-overs World Cup, the Asia Cup still remains one of the most anticipated cricketing events. Top nations from the Asian region collide against each other to become the King of Asia. Earlier, the tournament was only played between a couple of nations, but in recent years, it has spread.

The likes of Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal remain popular Asian sides who take part in the Asia Cup, but nobody can beat the aura of India and Pakistan. The Asia Cup is all about the India vs Pakistan blockbuster clash, as fans wait for the two teams to go against each other.

Last season, the two top sides collided thrice in the Asia Cup, and each match was monumental and generated gigantic broadcasting views. However, soon, the fans might not be able to witness India and Pakistan go toe-to-toe in Asia’s biggest cricketing tournament.

Pakistan discarded from Asia, placed in MENA region

In the latest development, the World Bank has placed Pakistan in its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region from fiscal year 2026, effectively ending its long-standing placement in South Asia.

The nation quietly moved away from Asia, and there was no buzz about the news. The move aligns Pakistan with its partners in the Middle East, with whom it has stronger security and economic partnerships compared to its neighbors in South Asia.

The move also shifts Pakistan away from a regional group, where it faced intense competition and a complex relationship with its neighbour, India.

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Will Pakistan play in Asia Cup? Fans react

With Pakistan shifting from the South Asian region to MENA, speculations have risen that the nation might not play in the Asia Cup events, and the Pakistan fans have already started the discussion on the same.

Mohammad Aizaz

@SeedaBalla93

So we won't be playing the Asia Cup anymore?

Anas Q.

@aqureshi_021

@SeedaBalla93 shukar, ab sirf World Cups mein haareingy!😁

Hassaan Asdaq

@AsdaqHassaan

@SeedaBalla93 We should start a MENAAP Cup.

Faraz Afridi

@WhatisupFKA

@SeedaBalla93 The Middle East Cup will be our new home

Pakistan's history in Asia Cup events

The Asia Cup tournament started in 1984, but it wasn’t until 2000 that Pakistan tasted success in the competition. The Men in Green broke India and Sri Lanka’s domination to win their maiden title in 2000.

However, they had to wait for 12 more years to win another Asia Cup, as the Men in Green won the championship once again in 2012. Since then, they have been eluded of the Asia Cup trophy as India have dominated the proceedings, and have won a total of 9 championships in their history.

Pakistan’s best chance to win another Asia Cup came in the last edition (2025), but they squandered the chance and allowed the game to slip away from their grasp against India.

Conclusion

Although the World Bank has confirmed that Pakistan has been removed from South Asia and has been placed in the MENA region, there is no official news on whether they’ll be barred from playing in the future Asia Cup events.

The Asian Cricket Council holds all the decision-making powers, and their call will be the final decision, and any judgment will be revealed before the next Asia Cup (i.e, 2027).

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