The suspense over Asia Cup 2025 finally came to an end on Saturday but with that started a brand new controversy. As confirmed by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the continental event will run from September 9-28 and the fixtures suggest that India and Pakistan may meet thrice during the course of the tournament.
Both the arch rivals are pooled in the same group and the first meeting between the two takes place on September 14. The two will go at each other again on September 21, which is a Super Four fixture and it requires both teams to reach the stage, the chances of which are high. Then there are chances of a third meeting but it only takes place if both reach the final, which is scheduled for September 28. (CHECK | Asia Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan dates out, find complete fixture)
However, the blockbuster meeting has also led to furore among people and even the ex-cricketers are now joining the debate. The two nations do not share the best of relations and the ghastly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam, have dented it further. Amidst this the India vs Pakistan cricket match has received a significant amount of backlash from the public and the sentiments are understandable.
The dispute was also felt at the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL), a tournament featuring the past icons in the United Kingdom. There India pulled out from playing the match with players such as Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh citing the geopolitical tension between the two countries. (WATCH | 'Aap ko yeh sawal nahi puchna chahiye': Shikhar Dhawan gets angry on India-Pakistan question)
Referring to the same, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria took a shot at BCCI and accused it of "using patriotism" as per its benefit. "Indian players boycotted WCL and called it national duty. But now Asia Cup vs Pakistan is just fine? If cricket with Pakistan is okay, then WCL should’ve been too. Stop using patriotism when it suits you. Let sport be sport — not propaganda," he wrote on X.
Indian players boycotted WCL and called it national duty. But now Asia Cup vs Pakistan is just fine? If cricket with Pakistan is okay, then WCL should’ve been too. Stop using patriotism when it suits you. Let sport be sport — not propaganda.Related stories
— Danish Kaneria (@DanishKaneria61) July 26, 2025
Shreevats Goswami, who had shared the dressing room with Virat Kohli at the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, also weighed-in on the topic. Goswami suggested India of "forfeiting" the fixture, stating if India goes on with the match it will surely hurt the sentiments of people.
"My read on the Asia cup going forward is India to & must forfeit the game against Pakistan & let them qualify. We don’t need to win the Asia cup. The only reason India is participating cause it helps other nations economically or else I don’t see any reason. Ideally this is what should & must happen & if India decides to play against PAK it will make the nation angry ! It should ! #AsiaCup2025" - he wrote on X.
My read on the Asia cup going forward is India to & must forfeit the game against Pakistan& let them qualify. We don’t need to win the Asia cup. The only reason India is participating cause it helps other nations economically or else I don’t see any reason. Ideally this is what…— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) July 27, 2025
Meanwhile, former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin also weighed in on the same. "I always say that everything should happen, or if it does not happen, then it should not happen at all. If you're not playing bilateral matches, then you shouldn't play international events too, that's what I believe," Azharuddin was quoted as saying by ANI.
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