New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria called out the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s double standards amid outrage over India playing against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The official schedule of the Asia Cup 2025 was released on Saturday, July 26, confirming that India and Pakistan are part of the same group.
The tournament, which will be played in the UAE, is set to kick off on September 09, with India scheduled to lock horns with Pakistan on September 14. Ever since the schedule was released, BCCI has been facing massive backlash on social media for continuing cricketing ties with Pakistan amid strained political relations between the two countries.
Border tensions escalated between India and Pakistan earlier this year following the Operation Sindoor conducted by the Indian armed forces in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April. Many, including former cricketers, politicians and others, have slammed the BCCI for agreeing to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025.
Amid the outrage against BCCI and the Indian government for allowing India to play Pakistan, former Pakistan cricketer Kaneria slammed the Indian cricket board. Kaneria said the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) must have received a green signal from the BCCI before scheduling the India-Pakistan match. He also said there shouldn’t be double standards from India when it comes to playing Pakistan.
“The ACC must have received a green signal from the BCCI, which is why the India-Pakistan match was scheduled. I believe the BCCI should have given it more thought and taken time before making a decision. There shouldn’t be double standards—sometimes yes, sometimes no,” Kaneria told IANS.
Danish Kaneria calls out India legends
Former Pakistan spinner Kaneria earlier also took pot shots at some of the former Indian cricketers who recently boycotted the match against Pakistan Champions in the ongoing World Championship of Legends. India Champions, which consists of several former India players, including the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Harbhajan Singh, was scheduled to play against Pakistan Champions in the tournament.
However, the India-Pakistan clash in the tournament was called off by the organisers after massive outrage on social media. Kaneria took to social media to call out the India legends, stating that they boycotted the match against Pakistan Champions by calling it national duty, but now BCCI has agreed to let India play Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
“Indian players boycotted WCL and called it national duty. But now Asia Cup vs Pakistan is just fine? If cricket with Pakistan is okay, then WCL should’ve been too. Stop using patriotism when it suits you. Let sport be sport – not propaganda,” Kaneria said in a tweet.
Indian players boycotted WCL and called it national duty. But now Asia Cup vs Pakistan is just fine? If cricket with Pakistan is okay, then WCL should’ve been too. Stop using patriotism when it suits you. Let sport be sport — not propaganda.
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) July 26, 2025
While the official schedule of the Asia Cup 2025 is already out, BCCI is yet to address the outrage over the scheduled India-Pakistan clash. It remains to be seen if the Indian cricket board will go ahead with the controversial match amid the government’s claim that Operation Sindoor is not over yet, or will they pull out of the Pakistan match.