The India-Pakistan fixture in the Asia Cup, set for 8 pm tomorrow at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, has reignited a nationwide debate, coming less than five months after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives in Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition parties, veterans, celebrities, and families of the victims have questioned the timing, calling the match “inappropriate” and urging a boycott.
Operation Sindoor, though concluded months ago, left deep scars, and for many, cheering India against Pakistan feels like overlooking the massacre in Pahalgam, where 26 lives were lost, and the ensuing four-day conflict. Social media has amplified the sentiment, with hashtags like #BoycottIndvsPak trending nationwide.
AAP leaders staged a symbolic protest outside their office, burning a Pakistan-labelled effigy. Former minister Saurabh Bharadwaj called on clubs and restaurants to refuse live telecasts. “Indian government is making cricketers play with such disgusting people who wiped our sisters' sindoor. We'll expose all the clubs and restaurants in Delhi that telecast India-Pakistan matches,” he said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticised the government’s approach, invoking Prime Minister Modi’s remark that “water and blood cannot flow together” over the Indus Water Treaty suspension. “How can war and cricket be at the same time? They have made a business out of patriotism. They just want money,” Thackeray added.
Union Minister Anurag Thakur defended India’s participation, citing tournament regulations. “When multinational tournaments are organised by the ACC or the ICC, it becomes a compulsion. If India opts out, Pakistan earns the points. We do not play bilateral tournaments with Pakistan,” he said, reiterating long-standing policy. Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah also noted that participation in multi-team events has never posed a problem, provided it is not bilateral cricket.
Actor Satish Shah urged, “I sincerely urge every patriot and true Indian to strictly boycott the India-Pakistan match. Just switch off the TV.” Major Manik M Jolly (retd) described the match as deserving an “empty stadium”. Shaurya Chakra awardee Major Pawan Kumar (retd) asked media outlets to refrain from covering the fixture, writing on X, “No breaking news, no score updates, no tickers, we know you can't boycott it but you can definitely avoid it silently. Hope you all respect the sentiments of 140 crore Indians.”
Also read: Opposition hits out at BJP, BCCI over India-Pak Asia Cup match
Political commentator Tehseen Poonawalla added, “All of India, all 1.4 billion Indians want India to have no relations with Pakistan and must not play cricket with them at all. Our government has informed us that Operation Sindoor has not ended, it's only paused... How can we play cricket with such a nation?”
Author Karan Verma echoed the stance, “I agree with @tehseenp. Cricket with Pakistan is unacceptable! I still urge the govt, @BCCI and the players to boycott the match against Pakistan. Pull off now. There is still time. This will be a moment of shame that the govt and @BCCI will have to live with. #NoCricketWithTerror.”
Several political leaders had expressed opposition when the fixture was first announced in July. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said, “My conscience does not allow me to watch this match. How can we play cricket with Pakistan when we have suspended trade, stopped water, and banned flights after their hand in terror attacks?”
Even sponsors have reacted. Travel company EaseMyTrip withdrew support, stating, “We stand with India. We cannot support any event that attempts to normalise relations with a country that promotes terrorism. Some things are bigger than sport.”
Ticket sales have remained subdued, with premium seats unsold, reflecting public disquiet. Experts caution that cancelling the match could impact India’s 2036 Olympic hosting bid, where the country must demonstrate the ability to hold international events reliably.
Veterans like Kapil Dev have urged players to focus on the game, “Let them just do their job.” Yet, for many Indians, watching the match is no longer merely sport, it is a moral choice intertwined with national sentiment.
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