IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025: BCCI Finally Breaks Silence
There are few sporting fixtures that stir the emotions quite like India vs Pakistan. It’s not just cricket – it’s history, politics, and pride all rolled into one. But this time, the stakes off the field feel heavier than ever.
As India prepares to face Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai in the Asia Cup 2025, there’s a storm brewing and it’s not just in the cricketing world.
The match comes just months after the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 Indian tourists were killed in an incident linked to Pakistan-sponsored militants. The emotional wounds are still raw, and many from former cricketers to everyday fans are asking the same question:
Why are we playing them at all?
‘We Have to Follow the Government’s Policy’: BCCI Responds
In the face of this growing backlash, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has stepped up to clarify the board’s position.
In a statement to ANI, Saikia explained that the BCCI isn’t acting alone. In fact, it’s strictly following the policy set by the Indian government, which allows Indian teams to compete against Pakistan only in multinational tournaments, like the Asia Cup or World Cups – not in bilateral series.
“So far as the BCCI’s view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalizes,” Saikia said. “There is no restriction when it comes to participating in multinational events, even if a country involved is not on friendly terms with India.”
In other words, India’s appearance at the Asia Cup and its match against Pakistan isn’t a diplomatic U-turn. It’s a necessary obligation under global sporting rules.
The Risk of Sanctions if India Pulls Out
Saikia also warned of serious consequences if India were to boycott these tournaments outright — consequences that could extend beyond cricket.
He pointed to FIFA, AFC, and the ICC – all of which could impose sanctions on Indian sports bodies if India refuses to play matches based on political standoffs.
“If India boycotts multinational tournaments, the risk is real. Indian federations could be penalized, and our athletes might be barred from future international events.”
And it’s not just hypothetical. Saikia cited an example involving Olympic hero Neeraj Chopra. If Chopra refuses to compete against a Pakistani athlete in a track and field event, the entire Athletics Federation of India could face action and Neeraj himself might be blocked from future competitions.
“That would be deeply unfair to our athletes,” Saikia noted. “And that’s why this policy is so carefully crafted — not just for cricket, but for all sports.”
Bilateral Cricket? Still a Firm No.
While India will play Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Saikia made it clear that bilateral cricketing ties are still off the table.
The last time India and Pakistan faced off in a bilateral series was over a decade ago, in 2012–13. Since then, the only time the arch-rivals meet is on neutral turf, under the umbrellas of the ICC or Asian Cricket Council.
For many Indian fans, that distinction matters little. The pain of terror attacks like the one in Pahalgam makes any match feel like a betrayal – no matter where or under what format it happens.
Cricket’s Crossroads: Between Policy and Patriotism
This situation unfortunately isn’t new. Time and again, cricket has found itself caught in the crossfire between sportsmanship and statecraft, between the bat and the bullet.
In 2025, that tension feels sharper than ever.
But as things stand, the match on September 14 in Dubai is on. The players will walk out under lights, the anthems will play, and the world will watch just like it always does when India and Pakistan share a cricket field.