India vs Pakistan Match: ‘Why is the government not refusing to play BCCI in Asia Cup? India-Pakistan match is a joke of emotions’

Last updated:August 03, 2025, 17:59 IST

The match will be played between India and Pakistan in Dubai on 14 September. (File photo)

Mumbai. Shiv Sena (Ubatha) leader Aditya Thackeray targeted the Center on Sunday for the Indo-Pakistan cricket match in the upcoming Asia Cup and said that it is ‘fun of emotions’ to join the game with the neighboring country in view of the Pahalgam attack. Describing this move as a ‘blockbuster match’, Thackeray asked why the government is not asking the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to move away from playing in the Asia Cup. He said that it shows that ‘money and entertainment’ are more important than those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks.

The Asian Cricket Council announced on Saturday that two major matches of India vs Pakistan would be held in Dubai during the upcoming Asia Cup. The Asia Cup will begin in the United Arab Emirates from September 9. India and Pakistan will compete in Dubai on 14 September and possibly on September 21, there will be another match on the same ground. The final on September 29 will also be in Dubai itself. Keeping in mind the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka earlier next year, this tournament will be held in T20 International format.

Thackeray said in a post on ‘X’, ‘Looks like there is a blockbuster match. And the Government of India does not speak a word on it. What a shame.’ The former Maharashtra minister said that after the Pahalgam attack, the government condemned Pakistan and Pakistan-based terrorism by sending delegates worldwide, but the government is not ready to ask the BCCI to refuse to play in the Asia Cup.

He said, ‘Money and entertainment is overshadowing the lives of soldiers who lost their lives in terrorist attacks and their lives.’ Thackeray said, “It is really a joke of India’s feelings that BCCI wants to play with Pakistan and the Indian government is sitting silent.” He said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will use the issue of Pakistan only in elections, otherwise it is fine for it to play cricket despite all the terrorist attacks.

Thackeray said, ‘The message of friendship day from the Government of India: True friendship should be like this… dedicated and unilateral- they can attack innocent Indians, but we will still play cricket with them! Because we can use their name in elections.

Rakesh Ranjan Kumar

Rakesh Ranjan Kumar has more than 10 years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining with News18, he has worked in Live Hindustan, Dainik Jagran, Zee News, Jansatta and Dainik Bhaskar. Currently that h …Read more

Rakesh Ranjan Kumar has more than 10 years of experience in digital journalism. Before joining with News18, he has worked in Live Hindustan, Dainik Jagran, Zee News, Jansatta and Dainik Bhaskar. Currently that h … Read more

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Mumbai,Maharashtra

First Published:

August 03, 2025, 17:59 IST

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Why is the government not refusing to play BCCI in Asia Cup? Thackeray attacked