Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes cricket matches between India and Pakistan should continue, even as he strongly condemns terrorism following recent tensions and the Pahalgam attack.
A High-Stakes Cricket Clash
The highly anticipated Asia Cup is set to feature a match between India and Pakistan on September 14. This fixture has drawn significant criticism across the country, particularly in light of heightened tensions between the two nations after the April terror attack in Pahalgam.
The strain has already impacted the sport, with India’s Champions team recently refusing to play Pakistan’s Champions in the World Championship of Legends. This sets the stage for a charged encounter in the upcoming tournament.
Ganguly’s Stance: Sport Must Go On
Amidst the controversy, cricketing legend Sourav Ganguly voiced his perspective. He stated that while terrorism is unacceptable and must be stopped, sports should not be halted.
Ganguly emphasized, “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.” His comments highlight a desire to separate sport from political conflict.
Asia Cup Details and Format
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will host the Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The tournament, played in a T20 format, is scheduled from September 9 to September 28.
Both India and Pakistan are placed in Group A. Their initial clash is set for September 14. If both teams perform well and win their remaining matches, they could potentially meet again in the final of the competition.
Past Tensions and Sporting Decisions
The upcoming match marks the first time India and Pakistan will face off since the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. This incident was followed by Operation Sindoor, conducted by Indian armed forces against terror emanating from Pakistan.
In the aftermath of the attacks, the BCCI demonstrated its firm stance. It withdrew the Indian team from the Women’s Asia Cup for emerging players last month, citing the escalating hostilities.
The Indian cricket board also reportedly pressured the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to relocate its annual meeting from Dhaka. Despite initial warnings to other countries not to attend in the Bangladeshi capital, BCCI officials and Sri Lanka Cricket chiefs ultimately joined the meeting via video conferencing, which led to the finalization of the Asia Cup schedule.
- Sourav Ganguly advocates for India-Pakistan cricket matches to continue despite political tensions.
- The Asia Cup match on September 14 will be the first between the two nations since the Pahalgam terror attack.
- The BCCI has previously taken strong measures, including withdrawing from tournaments, due to geopolitical issues.
As the Asia Cup approaches, all eyes will be on the highly anticipated match between these two cricketing giants, set against a backdrop of complex bilateral relations.
