The cricket market continues to record huge leaps in Southeast Asia. From what we have seen from the statisticians and record keepers, the revenue from cricket in the region will likely get to $3.17m in 2025.
This means the sport is rising higher and growing big. Recently, to show that it is going in the right direction in terms of growth, cricket has been added to the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
In this review, we explore the unsurprising rise of cricket in Southeast Asia. We’ll also share handy tips on how fans can bet on the sport on platforms like Pin-Up Casino. If you’re looking for up-to-date information, you can check the India national cricket team vs South Australia national cricket team match scorecard or more matchups for the tournament as it relates to your national teams.
History of Cricket in Southeast Asia
Cricket in Southeast Asia has English roots, which made it slow to acquire but relatively challenging to quit. The game was introduced to the subcontinent in the 1800s, and by the 1920s, it began commanding widespread popularity in colonial India.
India became the first country from the region to join the Test in 1932, and five years after the partition of 1947, Pakistan joined. Residents in both nations would soon find the game as a cheering escape route from the gloomy state of failing health and economic indices.
As time advanced, Southeast Asians even had more to revel in – the opportunity to demonstrate talent and spirit to oust more developed nations like England, Australia, and New Zealand, in mouthwatering ENG vs IND, AUS vs IND, or IND vs NZ cricket ties respectively.
Unsurprisingly, and thanks to globally competitive sides, the game soon became an emblem of national self-esteem, converting cricket athletes into regional celebrities and icons. Soon afterwards, other nations in the region followed in the footsteps of India and Pakistan. Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, also joined the train and boast relatively competitive teams across men’s and women’s categories on the global scale.
Sri Lanka became a Test-playing country in 1981 while Bangladesh did the same in 2000. The sport has also made giant strides in Nepal, which has registered commendable feats at global tournaments against heavyweights.
In 1983, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) was established to promote and develop the sport of cricket in Asia. The ACC hosts a tournament annually where different countries gather to compete against one another.
Today, the game isn’t just the most popular sport in India and Pakistan, it’s also gaining traction in other Southeast Asian nations across all levels. Countries in the region take immense pride in their national teams’ performances at tournaments, while leveraging these events as alternative and handy pastimes for friends and family members.
A Cautious Instrument of Peace
Beyond offering citizens another entertainment opportunity or a pastime activity, cricket has also readily become a peace-making instrument for countries in the region. Growing enmity between India and Pakistan has threatened to consume the entire region for over 50 years. Despite both countries sharing the same language, their deadlock keeps crying out for a new communication medium – one that transcends the political and ideological grievances between the countries.
However, in one of the most unexpected ways, a sport like cricket has come to deliver on the promise of providing lasting peace to the region. The sport has assayed to calm decades of failed diplomacy efforts that have often neared a nuclear flashpoint.
Followed and played with equally fervent passion on both sides of the border, cricket has demonstrated the power to be an instrument of peace. However, it can also backfire in the most unpredictable ways.
For instance, losing a cricket match to a neighbouring nation could trigger havoc on national morale. Pakistan, for instance, saw widespread national frustration peak after India snapped cricket ties at the advent of the 1999 Kargil incursion.
Ruling party members in India have been quoted as showing concern that a poor cricket outing could cost them the national polls. The sobering mood remained until both countries restored cricket links via the 2003/04 series in Pakistan. Soon enough, citizens of both countries admitted that the current thaw in relations was real.
The semi-final World Cup match between India and Pakistan turned out to be extremely important. It marked the first time after the November 2009, Mumbai terrorist attack that the prime ministers of both countries met and shared a common platform.
However, the sport can’t boast of the ability to completely resolve the territorial debacle of Kashmir, which is at the heart of the India-Pakistan conflict. It can easily bring both sides to a negotiating table, whether in an IND VS ZIM cricket tie or an IND vs BAN cricket showdown.
Cricket’s Inclusion in Southeast Games 2025
After a long waiting period that once seemed unending, cricket officially became included in the sports program for this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. There were fears that cricket would miss the cut as host nation Thailand had issues with cricket infrastructure. The host nation had also pulled out of co-hosting the 2025 Under 19 Women’s World Cup.
However, the structural situation improved remarkably and cricket’s push for inclusion was pushed by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Announcing the new development via its official page, ACC hailed the growing popularity of cricket in the region.
“The inclusion of cricket in the 33rd SEA Games is another significant step forward for the sport in South Asia,” wrote the ACC chair of development Mahinda Vallipuram, who doubles as a board member of the International Cricket Council.
‘‘The inclusion of cricket in the 33rd SEA Games is another significant step forward for the sport in Southeast Asia. The ACC, together with the Cricket Association of Thailand and the SEA Games Federation, is working tirelessly to enhance cricket’s profile in the region. We are thrilled to see cricket continue to inspire audiences, nurture emerging talent, and unite nations through its unique appeal.’’
The next SEA Games will host men’s and women’s games, as was the tradition during the 2023 SEA edition. However, the ACC has yet to reveal the games’ formats.
The upcoming 2025 SEA Games will include exciting matches that give fans a lot to cheer. Look out for the Bangladesh national cricket team vs India national cricket team match scorecard if you are from any of those countries. But beyond a highly anticipated BAN vs IND cricket regional clash, fans can expect matches like the following during the highly anticipated biennial multi-sport event:
- IND VS SL
- IND VS PAK
- AUS VS IND
- IND VS BAN
In his commentary on the development, Mr. Shammi Silva, President of the Asian Cricket Council, stated, ‘‘We are proud to collaborate with the SEA Games Federation and the Cricket Association of Thailand to make this possible. This milestone strengthens our resolve to further promote and develop cricket across Southeast Asia.’’
Re-echoing the celebration of a widespread followership for cricket in the game by other stakeholders, Shan Kader, Director of Cricket, Cricket Association of Thailand, stated, “Cricket’s presence at the 33rd SEA Games reaffirms the sport’s growing influence in Southeast Asia.” “We are delighted to once again contribute to its development and showcase the incredible talent this region has to offer. Thailand is honoured to host this prestigious event, and we look forward to delivering a spectacular tournament that will inspire and engage fans across the region,” he concluded.
With such growing appeal in the region, it’s apparent that cricket’s inclusion in the 2025 SEA Games goes beyond the competition. It’s about celebrating sportsmanship, regional unity, and the ever-expanding reach of a game that connects and inspires hundreds of millions globally.
Conclusion
Cricket has emerged as one universal language in Southeast Asia that could readily be a foolproof basis for offering a common ground in other life areas. Notably, few other activities combine the ideals of fair play and respect for common grounds as completely as the game.
With the power to promote peace, and consequently the health and wellbeing of hundreds of millions, cricket has also attained a massive public health status in the region. However, for cricket to keep promoting peace, prosperity, and sportsmanship in Southeast Asia, we’ll need many more tournaments, media coverage, and athletes delighting fans with continuous events. In the meantime, fans can happily look forward to the 2025 Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and the 2025 SEA Games.
