Fans slam BCCI after Asia Cup 2025 Schedule: The much-anticipated India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup has taken a controversial turn, sparking a fresh row between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. While cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have always been emotionally charged, this recent encounter has ignited tensions not just on the field, but also in the political arena.
Asia Cup 2025: India vs Pakistan
What’s the controversy?
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The Asia Cup 2025 tournament is slated to be played in UAE from September 9 to 28, in T20 format. India and Pakistan are grouped together, with their first scheduled clash on September 14
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The announcement triggered swift backlash across Indian social media. The hashtag #BoycottAsiaCup began trending as fans questioned the BCCI’s decision to play Pakistan so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which killed 26 Indian civilians
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Many described India’s participation as “insensitive,” accusing the cricket board of placing commercial interests over national sentiment
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Voices & Reactions
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Mohammad Azharuddin, former Indian captain, emphasized the inconsistency:
“If you don’t play bilateral, don’t play tournaments either.” He underscored India’s refusal to tour Pakistan historically, yet agreeing to meet Pakistan in multinational tournaments now -
Danish Kaneria, former Pakistani spinner, questioned India’s seemingly selective patriotism, pointing out India’s boycott of the World Championship of Legends match against Pakistan while still agreeing to Asia Cup participation
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Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, previously urged a full stop to any cricket with Pakistan until political tensions eased. He emphasized prioritizing national security over sport
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Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, urged sports to stay apolitical—arguing that international matches abroad shouldn’t be politicized despite the ongoing tensions
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Why is this especially controversial?
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The controversy echoes earlier protests when Indian legends withdrew from a WCL match against Pakistan, which was subsequently cancelled amid backlash after the Pahalgam attack
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Many see the Asia Cup decision as inconsistent: India boycotts a friendly legends game, yet plays the same opponent in a major tournament.
Asia Cup 2025 Schedule
Group A (India’s Group)
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10th Sept: India vs UAE
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14th Sept: India vs Pakistan (marquee fixture)
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19th Sept: India vs Oman
Super Four Stage (if teams qualify)
(Top 2 teams from each group advance)
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B1 vs B2 on Sept 20
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A1 vs A2 (likely a second India vs Pakistan meeting) on Sept 21:
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A2 vs B1 on Sept 23:
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A1 vs B2 on Sept 24:
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A2 vs B2 on Sept 25
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A1 vs B1 on Sept 26:
Final
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Sept 28: Top two teams from Super Four face off for the Asia Cup title — potential India vs Pakistan final if both qualify
Summary
As the Asia Cup 2025 Schedule is announced and India has agreed to play Pakistan in a high-voltage clash, a controversy has grown and fans are demanding a ban on the match after what happened recently between the two countries.
In essence, Indian fans see the scheduling of India‑Pakistan cricket at a time of heightened tension as deeply insensitive. While the BCCI has formally agreed to the clash, the public and political discourse has escalated. Social media sentiment is overwhelmingly calling for a boycott of the match or even the entire tournament.
