BCCI secretary confirmed that India will play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that India will play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 despite growing criticism and calls for a boycott. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said the board is bound by the central government’s policy, which allows Indian teams to play Pakistan only in multinational tournaments.
The match, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, has gained huge attention because of the rising tensions between the two nations after the Pahalgam terror attack.
The upcoming clash has drawn anger from fans and former cricketers. Many people believe India should not face Pakistan after terrorists backed by Pakistan killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam. Social media has been full of demands for India to withdraw from the match.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia defended the board’s position. He made it clear that the decision was not the board’s alone but was guided by government policy.
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“So far as the BCCI's view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalises. Recently, our policy regarding India's participation in any multinational or international tournament clearly states that there are no restrictions imposed by the central government on playing against countries not on friendly terms with India. So, India has to play all matches in any multinational tournament,” Saikia told ANI exclusively.
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012. Still, they often face each other in tournaments like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup. Saikia highlighted the difference between bilateral and multinational cricket.
“As the Asia Cup is a multinational tournament involving countries from the Asian continent, we have to participate. Similarly, in any ICC tournament, even if it involves a country not on good terms with India, we are required to play. As far as bilateral ties are concerned, we are not going to play against any hostile nation,” he added.
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Devajit Saikia also warned that if India boycotts Pakistan in major tournaments, it could invite penalties. He stressed that the board must follow the rules made by the Indian government.
"So we are following the policy framed by the government of India, the Youth and Sports Development Department. So, the policy we are following we are totally in alignment with the policy framed by the central government," he said.
"And for that, BCCI will have to do it. And we are very happy to follow the policy. And that policy is very nicely done, taking into consideration not only cricket, but also other games," Saikia said.
India and Pakistan are in the same group in the Asia Cup. The September 14 game in Dubai could be the first of three encounters between them in this tournament. The match is expected to draw global viewership, but it also faces political heat.
Earlier, India had boycotted retired players games like the World Championship of Legends, refusing to face Pakistan Champions. But this time, the BCCI has no choice. The Asia Cup fixture will go on as planned.
