Growing Tensions Over Cricket Ties With Pakistan
New Delhi, Aug 3, 2025 – The announcement of the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 fixture has stirred major controversy. Amid growing anger over the recent Pahalgam terror attack, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), accusing it of choosing profits over national pride.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently released the Asia Cup 2025 schedule, revealing a highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash scheduled for September 14 in the UAE. The tournament will run from September 9–28, featuring teams like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Oman, UAE, and Hong Kong.
The India-Pakistan match has been labeled a “blockbuster fixture”, with potential rematches in the Super Four stage and the final. However, many in India see the move as deeply insensitive, especially after 26 civilians were brutally killed in the Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attack.
“Blood Money”: MP’s Sharp Attack on BCCI
Voicing the nation’s anger, MP Priyanka Chaturvedi condemned the decision in a scathing social media post.
“When money is more important than the blood of our fellow Indians and our men in uniform… This is not just blood money, it’s cursed money,” she wrote.
Name and Shame every sponsor, broadcaster , streaming app that attempts to make money out of this India Pak match, because clearly BCCI and GoI are shamelessly going ahead with this match, leaves us Indian citizens to make our voices loud and clear.
I ask the @MIB_India and…— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) August 3, 2025
The MP demanded that every sponsor, broadcaster, and streaming platform supporting the match should be publicly named and shamed. She also urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) to ban the match broadcast in India.
“I ask @MIB_India and @GoI_MeitY to ban all the streaming apps and broadcast channels that show the India/Pak match live. Or will they buckle too?” she questioned.
Players Had Already Boycotted Pakistan Earlier
This is not the first time Indian sentiment has clashed with cricket diplomacy. Recently, players from the Yuvraj Singh-led team refused to face Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends. Despite reaching the semi-finals, the Indian team pulled out, handing Pakistan a walkover. The decision was widely supported by Indian fans on social media.
The growing chorus against cricket ties with Pakistan is seen as a reflection of public anger, especially after repeated cross-border terrorism incidents.
BCCI Caught Between Sentiment and Sports Charter
A source in the Sports Ministry confirmed that BCCI operates independently and is not yet under the National Sports Governance Bill, which remains pending in Parliament.
While the ministry maintains that bilateral sports ties with Pakistan are off the table, the government must still honor the Olympic Charter when it comes to multilateral tournaments. The charter bars discrimination based on political tensions — an important factor in India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics.
“We will wait and see how BCCI responds to public sentiment,” said the official.
Meanwhile, the Asian Cricket Council defended the tournament, saying,
“The 2025 edition will not only set new standards for excellence but also deepen the connection between the game and millions of passionate supporters across the continent.”