Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday addressed the controversy over the upcoming India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match, saying that while the Pahalgam attack cannot simply be “wished away,” sports should not become a victim of politics.
Chief Minister Abdullah clarified that the primary issue has always been with bilateral cricket matches between India and Pakistan, rather than the multilateral formats of large tournaments.
“Our problem has always been with bilateral cricket matches, and I don’t think we have ever had a problem with the multilateral part of large tournaments. You can’t wish away what happens. My part of the country has been the direct victim. We all saw what happened in Pahalgam. These are real concerns that we have,” CM Abdullah said.
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#WATCH | Chennai, Tamil Nadu: On the upcoming India vs. Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, J&K CM Omar Abdullah says, “Our problem has always been with bilateral cricket matches, and I don’t think we have ever had a problem with the multilateral part of large tournaments… You… pic.twitter.com/4bakm2XJng — ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2025
India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Controversy
The upcoming India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025 has sparked strong reactions across the country. Many people feel that playing this match after the Pahalgam terror attack is insensitive to the families of the victims. Public opinion is divided: some think India should play, while others want the match to be boycotted. A few months ago, India had refused to play Pakistan in the World Legends League in England for similar reasons.
Pahalgam Terror Attack Victim’s Family Calls for Boycott of India vs Pakistan Match
Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of Pahalgam attack victim Shubham Dwivedi, has called for a boycott of Sunday’s match. She asked people not to watch the game on TV as a form of protest. Speaking to ANI, she said, “I cannot understand this. I urge people to boycott this. Do not go to watch it, and do not switch on your TV.”
She also criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for being insensitive to the victims’ families. “BCCI should not have agreed to a match between India and Pakistan. I feel they are not thinking about the 26 families and those who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Sindoor,” she said.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray Reacts
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray also criticized the government, accusing it of mixing “politics and business with patriotism.” Speaking to the media, he said, “Our Prime Minister said blood and water cannot flow together, so how can blood and cricket flow together? How can war and cricket happen at the same time?”
“They have done business in patriotism. The business of patriotism is only for money. They are going to play the match tomorrow also because they want all the money they will get from that match,” Thackeray added.
First India-Pakistan Match Since Pahalgam Attack
This will be the first cricket match between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. Despite protests and criticism, the central government has not objected to India’s participation in the Asia Cup match, as it is part of a multi-nation tournament.
Pahalgam Terror Attack To Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 innocent civilians were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists. As part of the operation, the Indian Armed Forces carried out precision strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These actions successfully destroyed several terrorist infrastructures and resulted in the deaths of over 100 wanted terrorists.
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