BCCI Follows Policy, Won’t Boycott Pakistan Asia Cup
In the 2025 Asia Cup, India and Pakistan may play each other a total of three times.
The Indian cricket team is set to begin its Asia Cup 2025 campaign, with its first game before the crucial encounter against Pakistan being against the United Arab Emirates. However, given the recent military tension between the two countries, the fact that India has agreed to face Pakistan in the continental event has sparked discussion from both a sporting and political standpoint. Some supporters believe that India should boycott Pakistan in the ICC or other multi-team competitions, but in an exclusive interview with NDTV, board secretary Devajit Saikia clarified why this is not possible.
When asked about the criticism directed during the India vs. Pakistan Asia Cup match, Saikia responded that the BCCI is only abiding by the rules established by the Indian government regarding athletic ties with Pakistan.
“The sports department of the national government has established the rules and regulations about the technicalities of the Indian team’s participation in cricket or any other sport. I am confident that the central government made a very careful choice in drafting the policy, outlining the rules that will support national sports federations. We can therefore take a call about competing in any multi-national competition,” Saikia stated.
Saiki added that India’s reluctance to play its neighbors in multi-team competitions could result in harsh penalties from the regulating bodies, such as the Asian Cricket Council or the International Cricket Council, which is another reason why a total boycott of Pakistan on the athletic scene is not feasible. Furthermore, Saikia believes that such actions can impede the growth of aspiring cricket players and ruin their careers.
“Everything has been taken into account by the central government, including the concerns of the players and the federations’ interests. A specific federation may incur sanctions if it does not participate in a tournament with a multi-national component. The future athletes and their careers would be deprived in such a scenario,” he claimed.
On September 14, India and Pakistan will play each other in the Asia Cup group stage. Before the competition is over, the two teams may play one another a total of three times.
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