(Image source from: PTI)
The upcoming match between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup, set to take place on September 14 in Dubai, has received approval from the Indian government. On Thursday, the Sports Ministry introduced a new guideline regarding India’s international interactions with an emphasis on Pakistan. This guideline assures that the Board of Control for Cricket in India will not be prevented from playing against Pakistan, although cricket ties between the two nations will remain cut off. This new policy is effective right away and officially states the government's stance on cricket relations with Pakistan. It was also noted that the BCCI opted to participate in the tournament despite calls for a boycott following the terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent increase in border tensions, which led to the loss of many innocent lives in April and May.
“The way India handles sports events with Pakistan shows its overall approach to dealing with that nation,” says the policy from the ministry. “Regarding sports matches held in each other’s countries, Indian teams will not participate in events in Pakistan, and we will not allow Pakistani teams to compete in India.” The Asia Cup and future World Cups will not be impacted by this policy.
“When it comes to global and multi-nation events, whether in India or other countries, we follow the guidelines set by international sports organizations and what is best for our athletes. Additionally, it’s important to recognize India’s rise as a reliable venue for international sports. Therefore, Indian teams and athletes will participate in international events where there are also teams or athletes from Pakistan. Likewise, Pakistani individuals and teams can take part in international events held in India,” the policy outlines. The policy also promises a more straightforward visa process to make India a favored choice for hosting international sports competitions.
India and Pakistan are included in Group A in this eight-team tournament. The format allows them to potentially meet up to three times in just a few days — if they finish at the top of their group, they will advance to a Super-Four round-robin stage and could face each other again in the finals, which would generate significant earnings for broadcasters and the Asian Cricket Council each time. Earlier, there has been strong opposition to such multi-national competitions. Even head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed a preference for India and Pakistan to refrain from playing against each other until there is peace across the borders. However, an important aspect to consider is that, aside from the television revenue, this match is crucial for the ACC’s survival and its various grassroots initiatives in the country.
