Asia Cup: Sanjay Dwivedi, father of Pahalgam terror attack victim, opposes September 14 match against Pakistan
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Sanjay Dwivedi, father of Shubham Dwivedi who lost his life in the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, has strongly spoken out against the upcoming India vs Pakistan match in the T20 Asia Cup. The high-stakes clash is set for September 14 in Dubai, and Dwivedi wants the Indian government to step in and cancel it.
Speaking to on Friday from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Dwivedi shared his pain and frustration. He remembered the horrific attack on April 22, 2025, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, where Pakistan-sponsored terrorists killed 26 innocent tourists, including his son. “On that day, Pakistan took 26 lives from our country,” he said. “The Indian government had clearly stated there would be no relations with Pakistan—blood and water can’t flow together. Ever since I heard about this India vs Pakistan cricket match, I’ve been against it. The whole nation feels the same. We oppose any ties, whether political or in sports. I urge the government to act on public sentiment and stop this.”
Dwivedi’s words echo the growing anger across India over the terror attack and the decision to face off against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Many fans and families of victims believe sports shouldn’t mix with a country linked to such violence.
This isn’t the first time India has taken a firm stand. In August, the central government updated its policy on Indian athletes competing against Pakistanis. Now, India can join multinational events like the Asia Cup but will skip bilateral matches with Pakistan to avoid direct confrontations.
On the cricket front, India kicked off the T20 Asia Cup with a dominant nine-wicket win over the UAE on Wednesday. Next up is the tense India vs Pakistan showdown on September 14 in Dubai, followed by their final group stage game against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
The tournament heats up after the group stage with the Super 4 phase from September 20 to 26. The top two teams from each group advance. If India tops Group A, all their Super 4 matches happen in Dubai. Finishing second means one game in Abu Dhabi and two in Dubai. The grand finale takes place in Dubai on September 28.
As cricket fans gear up for the Asia Cup action, Dwivedi’s emotional plea highlights the deep wounds from the Pahalgam terror attack and the ongoing India-Pakistan tensions. Will the government respond? That’s the big question on everyone’s mind.
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