Sourav Ganguly
Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed strong support for the scheduled India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, emphasizing that sports should not be disrupted due to political tensions or acts of terrorism.
In a recent statement, Ganguly acknowledged the seriousness of the recent militant attack in Pahalgam but insisted that such tragic events should not be allowed to derail international sporting events.
“What happened in Pahalgam should never happen, but we can’t let that stop the game. Terrorism must end. It’s in the past now. Sport must go on,” Ganguly remarked, making a clear distinction between condemning terrorism and allowing politics to interfere with cricket.
His comments came just days after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) released the full schedule of the Asia Cup 2025, which confirmed that India and Pakistan are set to face off on September 14 in the United Arab Emirates.
The highly anticipated match between the arch-rivals has been at the center of controversy, with several Indian media outlets calling for a boycott of the fixture in response to the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Despite this mounting pressure, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued any public statements suggesting a change in plans or support for a withdrawal.
According to sources close to the matter, the BCCI had already formally approved participation in the tournament during a recent ACC meeting held in Dhaka. India, named as the official host of the tournament, has little room to maneuver at this stage, and officials have reportedly ruled out the possibility of altering the fixture.
A senior BCCI official stated that the match would go ahead as planned, adding that, “The BCCI cannot withdraw from the tournament or the match now. The decision was agreed upon after the ACC meeting. Since India is the host nation, nothing can be changed at this stage.”
The India-Pakistan encounter is widely expected to be the highlight of the Asia Cup 2025, drawing millions of viewers from around the world. Despite political tensions and security concerns, cricketing authorities appear determined to ensure that the match is conducted smoothly and without disruption.
The Asia Cup 2025 will commence on September 9 with an opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The tournament will follow the T20 format and feature eight participating teams. It will also serve as a preparatory platform for teams ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will start their Asia Cup campaign against Oman on September 12, followed by a group-stage match against the UAE on September 17. The high-stakes fixture against India, scheduled in between these two games, remains the most awaited contest of the event, carrying both sporting significance and symbolic weight amid ongoing regional tensions.
