Asia Cup History: India’s 1986 Boycott and the Politics Behind It

Before the cricket begins, the Asia Cup 2025 has already been surrounded by politics. It proves how outside forces can influence the game. For days, the possible boycott of the tournament by India dominated the news. And if it had happened, it wouldn’t have been the first time India skipped the Asia Cup. Till now, only Sri Lanka has featured in all 16 editions, while India (in 1986) and Pakistan (in 1990–91) boycotted the event for non-cricketing reasons.

In May this year, there were some reports that BCCI has decided that India will neither play nor host the Asia Cup 2025. Reason was obvious: Growing tensions with Pakistan. The cancellation of Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, scheduled for June this year substantiated this news.

So other than cricket, the Asia Cup has seen enough politics also and most of the events have seen one or the other controversy between the participating Asian sides. However, nothing can beat the 1986 Asia Cup boycott decision taken by India.

Who were the hosts: Sri Lanka

Who were the sponsors: John Player Gold Leaf

How India-Sri Lanka cricket tension had started: In 1985, a year before the Asia Cup, during India’s tour of Sri Lanka of three Tests and three ODIs, certain incidents strained the relationship between these two sides and were the topic of hot discussion. This also played a fair part in the Asia Cup boycott decision. Even Pakistan’s tour to Sri Lanka in February 1986 was not incident free. The Pakistan team was so much annoyed with the Sri Lankan umpires that they had virtually decided to call the tour off, which continued only after Pakistan president Zia-ul-Haq’ personal intervention. This however led to the appointment of the neutral umpires for the Asia Cup.

Reasons for India’s Asia Cup boycott decision: India were the defending champions but decided to pull out. The ongoing civil war between the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was cited as the reason for India’s boycott decision. The escalating violence and particularly the Anuradhapura massacre where about 146 civilians were killed, prompted this decision. India was continuously making efforts to broker peace between both the sides but without success. India was concerned about the player’s safety.

The Govt. of India had advised against sending the team. This is the only time India didn’t play in this tournament.

Was the event cancelled because of this boycott: No. Despite India’s boycott, the Asia Cup was played that year in Sri Lanka and similarly in 1990-91, when Pakistan didn't participate in India, the event was held.

Participating teams: Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Who were the champions that year: Host Sri Lanka lifted the Cup. Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in the final at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo.

In fact, only Sri Lanka and Pakistan remained in the tournament, and this led to Bangladesh’s inclusion, and they made their debut in international cricket through the Asia Cup. Although caught under civil unrest, Sri Lanka celebrated the win and Sri Lankan President JR Jayawardene declared a holiday.

A history was made in the umpiring: For the first time in an ICC full member country, neutral umpires stood in the matches. HD Bird and DR Shepherd of England, Mahboob Shah of Pakistan, and two local umpires, HC Felsinger and PW Vidanagamage, made up the five-man panel.

Unique itinerary of Asia Cup: India’s pull out, and controversy attached with it had taken much of the sheen from the Asia Cup. To make-up, a strange and hastily decision was taken, and a Triangular tournament was also played along with the Asia Cup. New Zealand obliged and on their way to Sharjah for the Austral-Asia Cup, agreed to play in the Triangular (of total three matches) in Sri Lanka with hosts Sri Lanka and Pakistan being other participants.

This is how the 1986 John Player Triangular Tournament was conceived and played in Sri Lanka between 5 and 7 April 1986, while Asia Cup matches were played between 30 March and 6 April. A look at the itinerary/results summary of both Asia Cup and this Triangular, will reveal that on 6 April, Sri Lanka vs Pakistan match was played at Colombo (SSC) in Asia Cup as well as in this Triangular. In fact, only one match was played which was considered for both the events. An Asia Cup match was considered for deciding the winner of some other tournament. Strange but true!

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Pakistan played ODIs on consecutive days. After playing in the Asia Cup final with Sri Lanka on 6 April, they played New Zealand on 7 April in the deciding match for the Triangular. Each of the three sides won one match each and Pakistan were the winners on run rate.