The countdown for the much-awaited India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 has begun and so have the controversies. Termed as the biggest cricketing rivalry, defending champions India will take on high-on confidence Pakistan on September 14, 2025.
Ahead of the match, calls for boycott India vs Pakistan has gained momentum on social media. Former cricketers, social media influencers and even fans have joined the Boycott India vs Pakistan Trend.
A Chandigarh-based YouTuber whose channel name is AB Cricinfo who makes cricket content has announced that he will not give any update or come live during or after post match.
He has put an official statement that reads, "I am officially announcing that there will be NO LIVE on AB CRICINFO YouTube Channel on any of the IND VS PAK MATCHES (14th Sept, Including any other matches further in the Tournament) in the ASIA CUP 2025.”
AB CRICINFO YT has the highest views and watch time because of all of you, but can’t we skip a match out of respect for the families who lost their loved ones?”
I am shocked at how the BCCI and the government can forget a deadly terror attack like Pahalgam. Do only the armed forces have responsibilities towards our country? The government and BCCI may have their compulsions, but you don’t.”
Ramesh Srivats who has almost 4 million followers on X has also joined the trend and wrote on X, "I will not be watching the India-Pakistan match.
(Wondering whether I should admit that I'm not watching any other match either. This whole Asia Cup is boring.)"
Former Indian cricketer and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh was quoted saying, "India-Pakistan match always comes in the limelight, but after the Operation Sindoor everyone said there should be no cricket and no business,” Harbhajan told the media during a Society magazine event here. “We were playing the (World Championship of) Legends, we did not play that match (against Pakistan).”
“Everyone has their own way of thinking and understanding, but I feel till the time relations between the two countries do not improve, cricket and business should not be there as well.
But then, that is my thought. If the government says the match can happen, it should happen, but the relations between the two countries should be better,” he added.
Punjab Kings shared a post on social media where they shared a graphic for India's next match (against Pakistan on September 14), without mentioning the team from across the border.
The post by PBKS understandably drew plenty of attention, forcing the franchise to disable the comments section on X (formerly Twitter).
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Friday in a press conference said the team's focus has solely been on cricket since the BCCI "aligned itself" with the government's decision to play against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
"Once BCCI said they are aligned with the government's decision, our focus was always on the match. It's India versus Pakistan, and it will be an interesting game," Kotak told mediapersons on the sidelines of India's training session at the ICC Academy ground. "India versus Pakistan is always a competitive game," he added.