Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has expressed strong reservations about the Indian team playing against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, citing ongoing security operations.
The Highly Anticipated Asia Cup Clash
Cricket fans are looking forward to a major showdown as the Indian cricket team is set to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates.
This high-profile match between the Men in Blue and the Men in Green is scheduled for September 14th. It marks the first time these two teams will meet in a multi-nation tournament since recent tensions.
Manoj Tiwary Questions the Fixture
Manoj Tiwary, a former Indian cricketer, has publicly questioned the appropriateness of playing a match against Pakistan at this time. He highlighted the Phalgam terror attack and the ongoing “Operation Sindoor” as key reasons for his concern.
Speaking to ANI, Tiwary stated, “The situation was so bad, how can we think of an India-Pakistan match? I feel that it should be considered again and the India-Pakistan match should not happen in such an environment.” He further emphasized the prime minister’s statement about “Operation Sindoor” still being active, asking, “How can we play a match with Pakistan?”
Past Instances of Disengagement
This isn’t the first time security concerns have impacted cricket ties between the two nations. Last month, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) withdrew from the Women’s Asia Cup for emerging players.
This decision came in the aftermath of terror attacks and the subsequent increase in hostilities, showcasing a firm stance by the Indian cricket board.
BCCI’s Stance on International Meetings
The BCCI also previously took a strong stand regarding the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) annual meeting. They reportedly threatened to have the meeting shifted from Dhaka and even warned other countries against attending the event in the Bangladeshi capital.
However, a resolution was found earlier this month. BCCI officials, along with Sri Lanka Cricket chiefs, attended the meeting through video conferencing, which led to the finalization of the September event’s schedule.
Government’s Position on Multi-Nation Tournaments
Despite these concerns, a senior official from the Indian sports ministry recently clarified the government’s stance. The official confirmed that the government would not prevent India from playing against Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments.
Asia Cup 2025 Dates Confirmed
The dates for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 have been officially confirmed. ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board, announced the tournament will take place in the UAE from September 9th to 28th.
Naqvi shared his excitement on social media, adding that the detailed schedule for the prestigious event would be released soon. The cricketing world now awaits the full fixture list for this highly anticipated tournament.
- Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary questioned the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match due to ongoing security operations.
- The match is scheduled for September 14th in the UAE as part of the Asia Cup 2025.
- The BCCI previously withdrew from a Women’s Asia Cup event due to escalating tensions.
- Despite past actions, the Indian government will not stop India from playing Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments.
- The Asia Cup 2025 dates (September 9-28) in the UAE have been officially confirmed by the ACC.
The upcoming Asia Cup promises to be a focal point for cricket fans, with geopolitical undertones adding to the drama of the India-Pakistan rivalry.
