- By Gurmeet Batra
- Fri, 12 Sep 2025 09:53 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025: Ahead of the Asia Cup group encounter between perennial opponents India and Pakistan in Dubai, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh voiced that bilateral cricket series between the two traditional opponents should be put on hold until relations between the countries improve.
In a highly anticipated encounter, traditional rivals India and Pakistan are gearing up for a clash in Dubai at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
This will mark the first time the two countries face off since India launched 'Operation Sindoor' in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year, in which 26 tourists were killed.
Highlighting the intensity of the upcoming clash in Dubai on Sunday, India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha stated that neither team will be taking it easy against the other.
"India-Pakistan match always comes in the limelight, but after the Operation Sindoor everyone said there should be no cricket and no business," Harbhajan told the media during a Society magazine event here.
"We were playing the (World Championship of) Legends, we did not play that match (against Pakistan)," he said.
Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government prepared a policy under which the country would not have any bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan but would compete against its neighbours in multilateral events.
Putting out his personal views, Harbhajan said he doesn't support engaging in cricket and trade with Pakistan, but respects the stance taken by the Indian government.
"Everyone has their own way of thinking and understanding, but I feel till the time relations between the two countries do not improve, cricket and business should not be there as well," said the former India spinner.
"But then, that is my thought. If the government says the match can happen, it should happen, but the relations between the two countries should be better," he added.