Asia Cup 2025: The Indian government has made its stand clear regarding the sports relations between India and Pakistan as the India-Pakistan match has been approved for the upcoming Asia Cup. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a public statement clarifying its stand on the matter.
The ministry has confirmed that India will not participate in bilateral competitions with Pakistan, however, teams will take part in multi-national events involving Pakistan. However, there is no clarity on whether Indian athletes will participate in events hosted by Pakistan.
The statement comes less than three weeks before the Asia Cup begins in the UAE. The two arch-rivals will take on each other on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
As for the matches, apart from the group-stage match, at least two more encounters are likely between the two teams, provided the teams qualify for the next stages. Meanwhile, this will be the first time India and Pakistan will face each other after the terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed several lives.
Indian teams will not participate in competitions in Pakistan
The statement issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said, “As far as bilateral sporting events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not participate in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we allow Pakistani teams to play in India. Talking about international and multilateral events in India or abroad, we will take a decision keeping in mind the functioning of international sports bodies and the interests of our players.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board have agreed on a hybrid model for all the remaining ICC events in the 2024-27 cycle. Accordingly, both countries will play only at neutral venues. The first instance of this was seen in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the Indian team played its matches, including the final, in the United Arab Emirates.
FAQ
Has the India-Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025 been officially confirmed?
Yes, the government has approved the match, and it has now been officially confirmed as part of the Asia Cup 2025 schedule.
Why was government approval required for the India-Pakistan match?
Due to political and security considerations, government approval is necessary whenever India and Pakistan face each other in international tournaments.
When and where will the India-Pakistan match take place in Asia Cup 2025?
The exact date and venue have been finalized in the official Asia Cup 2025 schedule, with high-security arrangements in place.
How significant is this match for cricket fans?
India vs Pakistan is one of the biggest rivalries in world cricket, attracting massive global viewership and fan engagement.