With the Asia Cup 2025 likely to be scheduled in the UAE this September, the possible clash between India and Pakistan—a fixture watched by millions—puts both sports bodies and ordinary citizens at a crossroads. Despite the commercial excitement and regional interest, compelling arguments have emerged urging India to reconsider participating against Pakistan.
Asia Cup 2025: Three key reasons why India should not play against Pakistan
1. National security and terrorism concerns
The shadow of the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the ensuing Operation Sindoor, a brief military conflict in May 2025, still looms large over India. India’s government and military leadership cited credible evidence linking Pakistan-based terrorist groups to the attack, with widespread public outrage and demands for a robust response. Even after both countries agreed to a ceasefire, the underlying issues—cross-border terrorism and lack of concrete action from Pakistan—remain unresolved.
Engagement in a high-profile cricket match risks appearing to normalize bilateral ties without addressing the core security concerns. Critics argue that playing sports with a country accused of sponsoring terror sends the wrong message to Indian citizens, the military and the families of victims. One of the leading commentators have said, “Any form of engagement, especially a high-profile one like cricket, is a betrayal of the soldiers guarding our borders and the victims of terror.” Until Pakistan takes verifiable and irreversible steps to curb terrorism, sporting ties are seen as premature and insensitive.
2. Political and public sentiment
The India–Pakistan rivalry has always gone beyond the cricket field. In 2025, the political climate is particularly charged, with diplomatic relations at their lowest ebb since the latest conflict . The Indian public, driven by a sense of national pride and collective loss, has voiced strong opposition to any form of engagement with Pakistan. Social media campaigns, opinion editorials, and even statements from former players and political leaders emphasize the need for a sporting boycott.
Political parties across the spectrum have used the issue to pressurize the government, stating that participation would undermine India’s official narrative of zero tolerance towards terrorism. The pressure is equally intense on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with critics accusing the board of prioritizing commercial interests over national honoor . As a result, the question arises: should sporting events take precedence when the core values of sovereignty and security are at stake?
3. Undermining the integrity of international sport
While commercial interests and TV ratings skyrocket every time India and Pakistan play, critics argue that continuing these contests under current circumstances undermines the spirit and integrity of international sports. The Asia Cup is meant to celebrate regional unity and sportsmanship, but forcing a match between two adversaries amidst unresolved violence and hostility transforms sport into a political tool.
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There are also concerns about the fairness of the competition itself. In view of mutual refusal to tour each other’s home grounds, the hybrid-venue model raises questions about the consistency and credibility of the tournament’s format. Additionally, the recent trend of placing India and Pakistan in the same group purely for financial gain, despite several mismatches in recent years, leads to further disillusionment among purists who feel the quality of cricket and the essence of rivalry are being diluted.
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