'We are very happy ...': BCCI opens up on playing Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 amid criticism

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified its stand on India facing Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The match is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai and has triggered criticism in India, especially after April’s terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent tourists.

Many fans and former cricketers had called for India to boycott the fixture, considering the current public sentiment. In July, retired Indian players were forced to boycott their games against Pakistan legends in a private cricket league in England following backlash on social media.

However, India’s main cricket team, which enjoys a following of billions, is set to face Pakistan’s top side in the Asia Cup. Despite the criticism, the BCCI has clarified that there will be no boycott, pointing to the government’s new Sports Bill that permits participation in multi-nation tournaments even if they include countries hostile to India.

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Saikia explains BCCI’s stance

In an interview with news agency ANI, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said that the board is only following the policy made by the Narendra Modi-led central government. He explained that while India will not play bilateral matches against Pakistan or any other hostile country, there is no restriction when it comes to multinational tournaments such as the Asia Cup or ICC events.

“So far as the BCCI’s view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalises. Recently, our policy, which is in place, regarding India’s participation in any multinational tournament or international tournament, there is no restrictions imposed by the central government whether we play any of the countries which are not on good terms with India. So India have to play all the matches in any multinational tournament,” Saikia told ANI.

“As the Asia Cup is a multinational tournament involving the countries of the Asia continent, so we have to play. And also, for any ICC tournament, when there is a country which is not on friendly terms with India, we have to play in the international tournaments. So far as bilateral is concerned, we are not going to play with any of our hostile countries,” he added.

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Saikia added that refusing to play against certain teams in such events could bring sanctions against India. He further explained by giving the example of Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Saikia said that if India pulls out of an athletics event where a Pakistani athlete is also competing, it could result in a ban for Chopra from international competitions.

“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.

“That will actually go against the players of that particular event. Suppose, taking an example, suppose in athletics, India is not playing a particular tournament because we have to play with a player belonging to a hostile country. In that situation, if any sanction comes with the Indian Athletic Association, then take the example, suppose Neeraj Chopra, he won’t be able to participate in any international event. So that will be detrimental to the interests of the players,” he said.

“I am sure the government of India has taken into consideration all these factors while formulating the policy that allows India to participate, not only in cricket but also in other games, in various multinational tournaments,” Saikia concluded.

India and Pakistan are scheduled to face each other at least twice in the Asia Cup 2025 with a possibility of another game if they both qualify for the final.