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The Asia Cup 2025, set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, promises another exciting chapter in one of cricket’s most intense rivalries — India versus Pakistan. Both teams are placed in the same group and are scheduled to face off on September 14 in Dubai, with potential knockout stage encounters also on the horizon. However, this much-anticipated fixture has become a subject of controversy amid heightened political tensions and the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed innocent civilian lives. Against this backdrop, former India captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has voiced a notably diplomatic stance, emphasizing the importance of allowing sport to continue while condemning terrorism unequivocally.
Sourav Ganguly’s balanced perspective amid geopolitical tensions
Ganguly expressed clear support for India and Pakistan playing against each other in the Asia Cup despite the fraught context. He acknowledged the tragedy of the Pahalgam terror attack and the deep pain it caused but firmly stated that sports should not be held hostage by political violence.
“I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time, Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped. India took a strong stance towards terrorism… Sport needs to be played,” Ganguly told ANI.
His approach reflects a nuanced balancing act: while condemning violence and emphasizing that terrorism must be eradicated, he advocates that cricket, a symbol of unity and passion across the subcontinent, should continue uninterrupted. This view is particularly significant given the polarized opinions among fans and former cricketers, some of whom oppose the India-Pakistan clash on security and patriotic grounds following the terrorist attack.
The decision to hold the Asia Cup in the UAE, a neutral venue, stems from a mutual agreement between India and Pakistan to avoid hosting matches on their soil amid ongoing diplomatic strains. India, although the formal host via BCCI, will play all its matches in Dubai. The tournament format also ensures multiple potential showdowns between the cricketing rivals — in the group stage, the Super Four, and possibly the final — underlining the tournament’s dramatic stakes.
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Asia Cup’s bigger picture of navigating diplomacy through cricket
The Asia Cup 2025 is not only a cricket tournament but an event tinted with diplomatic symbolism. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the BCCI’s handling of India-Pakistan fixtures signify an effort to separate sport from geopolitical discord. The broadcaster agreement mandates India and Pakistan be placed in the same group, guaranteeing high-profile clashes that draw massive viewership and revenue but also intense scrutiny.
Several Indian stakeholders criticized the decision in light of recent terror events, and the withdrawal of India’s World Championship of Legends team from a similar fixture against Pakistan only days prior added to the controversy. Yet, Ganguly’s endorsement of continuing with the scheduled matches offers a calming voice encouraging resilience in sportsmanship and cross-border cricket cooperation.
The ACC president Mohsin Naqvi lauded the tournament as a milestone, highlighting the addition of eight teams and 19 matches across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, aiming to make this Asia Cup a grand spectacle. His remarks reinforce the hope that cricket can act as a bridge rather than a battleground, even amid geopolitical tension.
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