Dubai: India vs Pakistan is always more than just a cricket match—it’s emotion, rivalry, and history all rolled into one. But ahead of their Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai on September 14, there’s been a heated debate back home. Many fans are angry, asking why Team India is taking the field against Pakistan so soon after the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in April.
The answer? It all comes down to rules and cricket politics.
Why India can’t skip this match
Former BCCI president and current Union Minister Anurag Thakur cleared the air. He explained that because the Asia Cup is organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), India doesn’t really have a choice. If the team refuses to play, it’s not just a boycott—it’s an automatic forfeit. That means Pakistan would get the points, and India could even risk being kicked out of the tournament.
Thakur put it bluntly: “When multinational tournaments are organised by ACC or ICC, it becomes a compulsion. If you don’t play, you’re eliminated. But India won’t play any bilateral series with Pakistan until terrorism stops.”
Read More :- Asia Cup 2025 Live Streaming: How to Watch Matches in US, UK, Canada, Australia and More
No bilaterals, only multinationals
This isn’t a new stance. The BCCI has held its line for years—no bilateral cricket with Pakistan until terror attacks end. That’s why you haven’t seen an India-Pakistan Test series or ODI series scheduled in ages. But in tournaments like the Asia Cup or World Cup, teams don’t get to pick and choose. Participation is mandatory.
So, while India refuses to engage in direct, standalone series with Pakistan, multi-nation events force the two to collide on neutral grounds. And fans, whether happy or furious, are left with no in-between.
The current mood
India kicked off their Asia Cup campaign with a solid nine-wicket win over the UAE, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav. Pakistan, under Salman Agha’s leadership, will be India’s next big test. Tension is high, and honestly—it’s going to feel like more than just a game of cricket.
The timing of this clash, coming months after Operation Sindoor and the subsequent uneasy ceasefire, means emotions will be running high across both nations. For some, it’s an exciting rivalry. For others, it feels like playing against Pakistan sends the wrong message.
Read more :- Asia Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan Live Telecast – Where To Watch Free Match Online & TV
What’s next?
Like it or not, the match is happening. The ACC, under President Mohsin Naqvi, is the governing body in charge, and India has no escape clause. If the Men in Blue refused to play, they’d risk tournament elimination, something no top cricketing nation can afford.
So, as the countdown begins, one thing is certain: when India and Pakistan walk out at the Dubai International Stadium, the world will be watching—not just for cricket, but for what the match represents in today’s charged political climate.
