BJP MP and former sports minister Anurag Thakur clarified India’s position on playing Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. He stressed that India will face Pakistan only because of tournament rules. Moreover, he emphasized that this does not signal any change in the country's diplomatic or national policies.

India’s Participation in Multinational Events

To begin with, Thakur told ANI that matches in events organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) or the International Cricket Council (ICC) are mandatory.

“When multinational tournaments are organised by ACC or ICC, it becomes a compulsion, a necessity for nations to participate,” Thakur explained.

Furthermore, he added that if a team refuses to play, it must forfeit the match. “If they don't do that, they will be eliminated from the tournament, and the other team will get the points,” he said.

No Bilateral Cricket With Pakistan

However, Thakur firmly repeated India’s long-standing stance on bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan.

“But India doesn't play bilateral tournaments with Pakistan. We have made this decision for years that India won't play bilateral tournaments with Pakistan until Pakistan stops terrorist attacks on India,” he stated.

Opposition Demands Match Cancellation

Meanwhile, his clarification came amid growing protests following the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed several soldiers.

As a result, opposition parties, including AIMIM, Shiv Sena (UBT), Maharashtra Congress, and NCP (SP), demanded the cancellation of the September 14 clash.

In response, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray announced protests against the game. “Blood and cricket cannot flow together,” he declared.

Similarly, the Maharashtra Congress described the match as an insult to the families of the martyrs. Additionally, the NCP (SP) accused the government of showing “dual standards” by allowing the match to proceed.

Supreme Court Refuses to Stop Match

On Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea that sought to urgently halt the game.

Consequently, the India-Pakistan encounter will take place as scheduled on September 14 in Dubai, despite mounting political pressure and public anger.