The Indian cricket team is scheduled to play a game against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 in September. The tournament is set to be hosted in the UAE, and The Men in Blue will clash against The Men in Green on 14th September. Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary questioned how India can play Pakistan after the Phalgam terror attack and with Operation Sindoor still going on.
“The situation was so bad, how can we think of an India-Pakistan match? I feel that it should be considered again and the India-Pakistan match should not happen in such an environment,” Tiwary said, speaking on ANI. This will be the first match between India and Pakistan since the attack. Subsequently, Operation Sindoor was conducted by the Indian armed forces in Pakistan against terror emanating from that country.
“Our Prime Minister is saying that Operation Sindoor is still going on. How can we play a match with Pakistan?” Tiwary asked.
The two sides were slated to meet in the Women’s Asia Cup for emerging players last month. However, the BCCI withdrew from the tournament in the aftermath of the terror attacks and the consequent escalation in hostilities.
The Indian cricket board even threatened the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to shift their annual meeting from Dhaka to another country. The Indian Express learnt that they warned other countries not to attend the meeting in the Bangladeshi capital. However, with the BCCI officials and Sri Lanka Cricket chiefs attending the meeting through video conferencing earlier this month, the schedule for the September event was finalised.
Recently, a senior sports ministry official said the government will not stop India from playing against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments.
Confirming the dates and the host nation for the Asia Cup, ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, also the Pakistan Cricket Board president, posted on X: “I am delighted to confirm the dates for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 in the UAE. The prestigious tournament will take place from September 9th to 28th. We look forward to a spectacular display of cricket! The detailed schedule will be out soon. #Cricketwins”
