BCCI gives statement on India playing Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

Once and for all, the BCCI shuts down criticism over the play between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently defended India’s participation in the Asia Cup against Pakistan, citing government policy that allows involvement in multinational events. There is already public outrage brewing over India’s scheduled Asia Cup clash against Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. However, BCCI secretary Saikia has defended the fixture, citing government policy on participation in multinational tournaments.

BCCI secretary defends India playing Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently shut down criticism once and for all by defending the fixture between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025, which is to be held on September 14 in Dubai. He cited government policy on participation in multinational tournaments. The criticism over the fixture came from the public after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 tourists were killed. Amid calls for a boycott of the fixture and disapproval from fans and former cricketers, Saikia clarified that the Indian cricket board is acting in accordance with guidelines issued by the central government. The revised policy, introduced in August, permits Indian athletes and teams to participate in multinational events featuring countries with which India is not on friendly terms, while continuing to bar bilateral engagements with those nations.

What did the BCCI secretary speak on the matter?

Saikia told ANI, “So far as the BCCI’s view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalises. Recently, our policy, which is in place, regarding India’s participation in any multinational tournament or international tournament, there is no restriction imposed by the central government on whether we play any of the countries which are not on good terms with India.” He added, “As the ICC Cup is a multinational tournament involving the countries of the Asia continent, so we have to play. And also, for any ICC tournament, when there is a country which is not on friendly terms with India, we have to play in the international tournaments.” He also said, “So far as bilateral is concerned, we are not going to play with any of our hostile countries.”

Saikia also warned of the broader implications if India were to boycott a multinational event. According to Saikia, refusing to participate in matches against certain countries could invite sanctions from global sporting bodies. This would happen not just in cricket but across other sports disciplines as well, he said.