As the Asia Cup 2025 approaches, the question on everyone’s mind is will India and Pakistan play each other? The current schedule suggests three matches between these arch rivals.
But will India even play Pakistan? Especially after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed over 20 civilians? In response to this attack, the Indian government took strong diplomatic action against Pakistan and launched Operation Sindoor. The announcement of the Asia Cup along with the matches between India and Pakistan has created a huge debate in India.
While it’s not yet confirmed if the two teams will meet in the tournament, Kedar Jadhav, former cricketer turned politician has said India should boycott the match against Pakistan on September 14.
Jadhav said, I don’t think the Indian team should play at all. India will win wherever it plays but this match should not happen. They will not play. He also expressed confidence in Operation Sindoor.
India and Pakistan are in Group A of the Asia Cup 2025 to be held in UAE from September 9 to 28. The two rivals will play their group stage match on September 14 in Dubai. If both teams qualify they can meet twice more in the tournament.
The relation between India and Pakistan has been very tense since the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. Both countries have been avoiding bilateral matches against each other.
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Now there are calls for the Indian team to not play against Pakistan even in big tournaments like Asia Cup and World Cup. Earlier Indian national team spinner Harbhajan Singh had also suggested a boycott citing the sacrifices of Indian armed forces.
Last month India Champions team led by Yuvraj Singh boycotted two matches against Pakistan in the second season of World Championship league. The defending champions withdrew from their semi-final match against Mohammad Hafeez’s team and allowed Pakistan to move to the finals where they lost to South Africa.
Sources have reported that Indian players have refused to play against Pakistan in the WCL semi-final on Thursday. PTI also quoted sources saying that Retired international players representing India Champions have refused to play against Pakistan Champions in the semi-final of World Championship of Legends in Birmingham.
