Sources have confirmed that these high-stakes conflicts will not be stopped, and India and Pakistan have been assigned to the same group. The matches are too important to call off because media outlets, sponsors, and broadcasters have already inked agreements worth enormous sums of money.
India to Play Pakistan in Asia Cup Despite Earlier Stance, Backlash Erupts Online
Sources have made it clear that India will not forfeit the match, as this is not a bilateral series but part of the Asia Cup, which follows a league and knockout format.
"This is not a bilateral contest but a match in a multi-nation tournament. If India does not play or forfeits the match, it will give Pakistan a huge advantage. This will be like giving them a walkover, which is not desirable," sources said.
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The Indian government and the BCCI had previously declared that India would not play cricket against Pakistan in any upcoming or future tournaments due to the results of the border tensions. That position seems to have changed
This decision from the BCCI and India sparked intense backlash on social media, with netizens planning to boycott the match and questioning the BCCI's stand on Patriotism.
Further, it became a debate in the Parliament, where Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the government’s decision to allow the match:
"We've stopped trade with them, their aircraft aren't allowed in our airspace, but you're ready to play a cricket match with them? How can you do that? My conscience does not allow me to watch that match," Owaisi said.
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BCCI Not Under Sports Ministry Scope as Indo-Pak Asia Cup Clash Nears
The sources pointed out that the BCCI does not currently fall under the scope of the National Sports Governance Bill, which is yet to be passed.
"As of now, the BCCI does not come under the scope of the sports ministry, as the National Sports Governance Bill is still to be passed. So, the ministry doesn't have a say, but we will wait and see how the BCCI responds to public sentiment," a sports ministry source told PTI.
An Indo-Pak match is scheduled for September 14 in the United Arab Emirates as part of the Asia Cup 2025, and there may be two more meetings in the competition. These games carry enormous financial stakes because sponsors and broadcasters expect large viewership and higher ad revenue. For USD 170 million, Sony Network has purchased the Asian Cricket Council's eight-year broadcast rights.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Continental Cup set to be played in UAE between September 9 to 28
