• Source:JND
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India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2025: India are set to be in action in the Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Despite the massive backlash, India will also play arch-rivals Pakistan in the tournament amid the ongoing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

While mixed reactions continue to surface on social media, the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia cited the recently issued policy and stated that the central government has not restricted participation against any nation that is not on friendly terms with India in multi-nation tournaments.

The massive outrage over India's participation in the continental tournament and their match against Pakistan erupted from anger over the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were killed on April 22 by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.

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Former cricketers and fans have voiced their discontent with the fixture, with some even calling for a boycott of the match.

Notably, the central government cleared its stance last month, revising the policy regarding Indian athletes competing against Pakistani athletes in sports events. As per the new guidelines, India will be allowed to participate in multinational events but will continue to refrain from bilateral competitions with hostile nations.

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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.

"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.

Saikia stressed that the Indian cricket board will continue to follow the policy formalised by the government. He highlighted the setbacks the nation could face if the Indian cricket team boycotts fixtures against Pakistan in global tournaments across different sports disciplines, which involves the threat of facing sanctions.

"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. 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," he said.

"If you think that if India boycotts any of the multinational tournaments hosted by the Asian Cricket Council or the ICC, or if you take any other sports, suppose a FIFA tournament or an AFC tournament or any other, suppose, athletic tournament involving multinational teams, and India is not playing with a particular country, then there may be sanctions against the Indian Federation," Saikia added.