As India gears up for its high-stakes clash against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, tensions are boiling over back home. Opposition leaders are slamming the decision to play the match, arguing it dishonors the brave soldiers who died in recent terror attacks. With the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry always drawing massive crowds, this political storm adds even more drama to the showdown.
Congress MP Balwant Baswant Wankhade didn’t hold back. He called the match a slap in the face to national pride. “Sports are just games, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” he said. “But facing a country that attacked our honor and killed innocents? That’s unacceptable. Our soldiers showed incredible bravery in that attack and during Operation Sindoor. Going ahead with this game disrespects them and shows our weakness. I strongly condemn those who allowed it.”
Echoing the anger, Congress leader Udit Raj pointed fingers at commercial motives. He highlighted widespread backlash on social media, tying it to BCCI secretary Jay Shah—son of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “The government runs on just two people’s whims,” Raj fumed. “Remember Shubham, the martyr? His wife spoke of the 26 lives lost, yet we’re playing cricket with the same nation behind the terror.”
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey joined the chorus, urging the government to scrap the India-Pakistan match in Dubai. “There’s no place for this game right now,” he said. “We’ll push the Indian government to rethink and tell the BCCI to call it off.”
The uproar stems from the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year, where 26 people lost their lives. India hit back hard with Operation Sindoor, taking out the terrorists. Just five months later, this Asia Cup 2025 fixture has many questioning if cricket with Pakistan is the right move amid such fresh wounds.
Still, cricket fans are buzzing with excitement for the India vs Pakistan match. It’s set for 6:30 p.m. UAE time (8:00 p.m. IST) at the iconic Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Earlier today, in Varanasi’s Kashi, devotees amped up the spirit with special prayers, Ganga Aarti, and waving the tricolor—praying for a big Indian win in this emotional Asia Cup thriller.
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