IFTDA chief Ashoke Pandit terms India-Pakistan cricket match an “insult” to fallen soldiers
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Cricket fans in India are buzzing with mixed feelings as the national team gears up for a blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan. This will be their first international match since the horrific Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, sparking heated debates across social media.
The India vs Pakistan rivalry is one of the most intense in world cricket, and it’s no surprise that opinions are flying high. While some fans are excited for the action, others feel it’s the wrong time to play, given the recent tensions.
Film and TV director Ashoke Pandit, who heads the Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA), has come out strongly against the match. He called it a “black day” for India and slammed the organizers for being insensitive. Speaking to , Pandit said, “We cannot be this insensitive. Our cricketers should have this much shame; money is not everything. I want to say to all the cricketers that the people you play for have their hands covered with blood, and that blood is of Indians.”
Pandit didn’t stop there. He pointed out that India has endured terror attacks for over 40 years and accused the decision of insulting the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives. “The government can give any reason or tell any rule, but it won’t go down our throats. You are taking all this lightly because no one from your own family has been attacked. It is an insult to all those security forces who have lost their lives for this nation,” he added. He even urged TV channels not to broadcast the India vs Pakistan match.
Earlier, opposition parties called for a boycott of the game, but the central government gave the green light for the Indian team to compete against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments.
Looking at the head-to-head stats, India holds a strong edge in T20Is, leading 9-3 after 13 meetings. Pakistan’s last win came in the 2022 Asia Cup in Dubai. More recently, in the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York, India edged out Pakistan by six runs, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s game-changing bowling spell that swung the match when Pakistan looked set to win.
In the broader Asia Cup history, the two teams have faced off 19 times in ODI and T20I formats. India has 10 victories, Pakistan six, with three matches washed out. As the big day approaches, all eyes are on how this India Pakistan cricket rivalry unfolds amid the controversy.
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