With the announcement of the IND-PAK clash in the Asia Cup 2025, criticism has started on social media.
The high-intense clash is set to be played on September 14, and with the high tensions erupted between the countries due to the Pahalgam attack in May, it seemed highly unlikely that India to play against Pakistan.
If India decides to boycott the match, it is likely to be considered as Forefeit which give Pakistan a huge advantage.
On this occasions, several sources has confirmed that the clash will not be cancelled. “This is not a bilateral contest but a match in a multi-nation tournament. If India does not play or forfeit the match, it will give Pakistan a huge advantage. This will be like giving them a walkover, which is not desirable,” sources said.
Meanwhile a sports ministry source has revealed that the decision regarding the issues will be decided and addressed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“This is not a bilateral contest but a match in a multi-nation tournament. If India does not play or forfeit the match, it will give Pakistan a huge advantage. This will be like giving them a walkover, which is not desirable,” sources said.
Lietuant General KJS Dhillon, who served as the Director General of Defence intelligence Agency, is among the prominent voices who have called for a boycott of any cricketing ties with Pakistan.
However, former BCCI president and captain Sourav Ganguly, while condemning terrorism has stated that ‘sport should go on.’
The sports ministry has maintained that any bilateral sporting engagement with Pakistan is ‘out of question’ at this point.
But in multilateral contests, it would go by the Olympic Charter, which prohibits any discrimination based on political issues, which is why the goverment has stated that it would not stop Pakistan from coming to India for international events.
With the cricket is set to return to Olympics and India set to host the 2036 Olympics, it will be crucial for Men in Blues side. Cricket too is part of the Olympics movement now and is set for a Games debut in 2028 in the T20 format.
However, the Asia Cup 2025 is not an ICC event, and will be conducted by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) which is currently by Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi.
With heavy finances invested and rides on the fate of the IND-PAK clash, broadcasters expecte high viewership, and in turn high advertising rates.
Sony Network has secured the broadcasting rights from ACC for USD 170 million. If the game is forefeited, the channel would end up heavy losses which also ends up affecting ACC‘s revenue projections.
However, the snub will not affect BCCI significantly, would have a cascasing effect on the revenue of the remaining 24 ACC members, most of whom are developing cricket nations.
