India and Pakistan were drawn to play each other in the World Cup

Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were all due to play in the tournament in Bangladesh in August.

But Pakistan's refusal to play appears to be a tit-for-tat response after India said they would not take part in a Test and one-day series in Pakistan in May.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director Chishty Mujahid told the AFP news agency: "We have informed the Asian Cricket Council [ACC] of our inability to participate in the Asia Cup and will issue further details next week."

The latest decision ends any hopes of a restoration of cricketing ties between the two countries, which stems from a political row over the disputed region of Kashmir.

They did play each other in the 2003 World Cup last month - where India beat Pakistan by six wickets in a group match.

But the Asia Cup, which began in 1983-84, has been marred by India-Pakistan tension.

The last time both countries played together in the Asia Cup was in Bangladesh in May-June 2000.

No Indian team has toured Pakistan since 1997-98 but Pakistan did play in India the following year.