Former Wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami urged India not to play against Pakistan in Asia Cup, even if they decide to participate in the T20 tournament. Former cricket Royal Challengers Bengalur said that the whole country would be angry if India continued with the planned match against Pakistan on September 14.
Calling the Asia Cup boycott has been growing since the Asian cricket council has announced the schedule of the continental tournament on Saturday 25 July. TAsia Cup will take place in UAE from 9 to 28 September, With Marquee India vs Pakistan clash scheduled for 14 September.
India and Pakistan could face up to three times in Asia. Both sides could meet again 22. September if both qualified for Super Fours, and perhaps in the final – a phase where they have never met in the tournament history.
Resources today in June said India in June that India would not host or participate in the Asian Cup after a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Goswami said India was attending the Asia Cup just because it supports the financial stability of other Asian cricket members. Although BCCI holds hosting rights for the Asia Cup, they decided to carry out a tournament for a neutral place.
“My reading on the Asian Cup is India and has to fall against Pakistan and let them qualify. We don’t have to win the Asia Cup. The only reason for India is to participate (is) because it helps economically different nations, or I don’t see any reason. Shreevats Goswami wrote in the paper on X.
Goswami’s notes came only a few hours after the former Pakistan Spinner Danish Kaleria asked Why was India ready to face Pakistan in Asia Cup while Indian players boycotted the match of the World Championship in legends against Pakistan earlier in the month.
The terrorist attack of April 22 claimed the lives of 26 civilians, mostly tourists, after the gunmen began fire on the basis of questions about the religious identity of the victims. The resistance front (TRF), also known as the resistance of Kashmir, initially demanded responsibility, but later denied the connection as a tension between India and Pakistan escalated. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) identified the head of the TRF Sheikh Sajjad Gul as a championship for the attack.
In retaliation, India began surgery Sindoor 7 May and focused on nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied by cashmere. This meant a sharp military escalation, including cross-border attacks and strikes on Pakistani foundations that de-espákal after bilateral agreement to stop hostility. Later in May India sent seven delegations more parties to 33 global capitals, including Washington, to emphasize Pakistani ties to terrorism and gain international support.
The Asia Cup will present eight teams, two more than the previous edition that India won in 2023. India was drawn next to Pakistan, Sae and Oman. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong form the second group. The two best teams in each group qualify for the Super Fours phase, with the first two of this round to advance to the final of September 28th.
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Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
27th July 2025
