The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) all but confirmed the India-Pakistan clash in the 2025 Asia Cup clash amid massive outrage in the country as the Men in Blue are set to face their arch-rivals on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium.
The clash comes just months after the Pahalgam Terrorist attacks and Operation Sindoor, which has seen India take several steps to halt diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including the Indus Water Treaty being put in abeyance.
It was expected that India would stop playing Pakistan on the cricket field, but teams are likely to face each other three times in the continental showpiece event, which has led to backlash in the country.
On Thursday (August 21), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) issued a policy on sporting ties with Pakistan, which cleared the way for the Asia Cup clash.
Post the Narendra Modi-led government’s announcement, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia claimed that the statement should clear the status of the India-Pakistan clash and claimed the Indian cricket governing body only take decision based on the central government.
“Today, the central government has come out with a policy on international sporting events. We welcome this. This will put to rest all the campaigns against India participating in the Asia Cup. The BCCI is doing this (participating in the Asia Cup) as per the central government’s policy. The central government has taken the interest of the players, the teams and also, the events that are going to be hosted by our country in the future. So, all these things are very nicely taken by the government of India and we fully endorse the view expressed by the central government and we will 100% abide by the policy framed by the central government,” Saikia told Times of India.
“The BCCI will not go a single inch against the government’s policy. We will fully abide by all policies of the central government, whether it is participating in an international sporting event or regarding sponsorship. We will follow everything in true letter and spirit,” Saikia concluded.
It is worth noting that India is hosting the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as per an agreement to ensure that neither India nor Pakistan travel to each other’s soil to play the tournament.