BCCI officials likely to skip high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash amid boycott calls

The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan is generating a lot of hype. The match is scheduled to take place in Dubai on Sunday, September 14. However, the atmosphere is very different this time as many fans in India are calling for a boycott of the game citing the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor earlier this year.

The Pahalgam terror attack took place in April, in which 26 innocent tourists lost their lives. In response to that, India launched Operation Sindoor against terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. This triggered an all-out war between India and Pakistan for three days before a ceasefire was agreed upon the alleged intervention of US President Donald Trump.

Because of this, many fans thought the BCCI would not let India play against Pakistan in any tournament. But the Indian government allowed the match to happen because it is part of a multi-nation event, and the new Sports Bill lets Indian teams play in any international event, even if it includes hostile countries.

BCCI officials to boycott India vs Pakistan clash?

Now, according to a report in Dainik Jagran, the BCCI is quietly distancing itself from the game. Unlike previous India vs Pakistan matches, no senior BCCI official has reached Dubai so far for the September 14 clash. This is being seen as a kind of boycott from the BCCI.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia, and joint secretary Rohan Desai are all expected to stay away from the match. However, the acting BCCI president Rajeev Shukla, who is also an ACC board member, may attend since it is his duty. ICC chairman Jay Shah is also not going to be there as he is in the US.

A BCCI official told the paper that the board only agreed to the match after the government’s clearance, but they don’t want to be seen on TV during the game. “We agreed to the match after getting permission from the government. If we come on camera during the match, then attempts would be made to create an atmosphere against us,” a BCCI official was quoted as saying by Dainik Jagran.

Both India and Pakistan won their first matches of the Asia Cup 2025, and now all eyes are on the big clash. India crushed the hosts UAE in their opening clash, Pakistan beat Oman by a huge margin.