ISLAMABAD: With the Asia Cup 2025 just weeks away, excitement for the highly anticipated Pakistan-India clash on September 14 in Dubai is being clouded by New Delhi’s political rigidity rather than cricketing spirit.
While Pakistan has expressed full readiness to compete, India’s reluctance has stirred concerns that politics may once again overshadow one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.
Former Pakistan captain and pace legend Wasim Akram urged cricket to transcend politics, reiterating that Pakistan is prepared regardless of the noise.
“Asia Cup schedule is out, there is backlash. But we in Pakistan are calm. We will be fine whether we play or don’t play. The game must go on,” Akram said on a podcast.
“I hope to see a Test series between India and Pakistan in my lifetime. Politics apart, I’m not a politician. They are patriotic about their country; we are patriotic about ours. Let’s not go below the belt,” he added, calling for mutual respect.
Pakistan begin their campaign against Oman on September 12, before the high-voltage fixture against India. The tournament, set in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28, doubles as preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
On India’s side, however, caution dominates. Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar stressed that players have little say in the matter.
“If the government has taken a call, I don’t see how the players can be criticised. Players are helpless in this. If the government says play, they will play. If not, the BCCI will follow accordingly,” Gavaskar told Indian media.
Former all-rounder Kedar Jadhav went further, insisting India should avoid the match entirely, despite his confidence in the team’s superiority.
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“I think the Indian team should not play at all. Wherever India plays, it will win. But this match should not be played,” Jadhav declared.
Echoing him, ex-spinner Harbhajan Singh tied the matter directly to national sentiment and security, referencing the recent Pahalgam incident.
“Why do we give them so much importance? For me, the soldier who stands on the border, whose family often doesn’t get to see him – skipping one cricket match is a very small matter compared to their sacrifice,” he said.
The atmosphere further soured on August 19 when the BCCI’s media manager abruptly cut off questions about the India-Pakistan clash during a press briefing with chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Suryakumar Yadav, reinforcing the sensitivity of the issue.
Despite the political fog, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has confirmed the full schedule, including the marquee clash and a possible rematch in the Super Four stage on September 21.
For fans worldwide, the stakes extend beyond sport: the real question is whether cricket can once again rise above geopolitics, or whether India’s hardened stance will reduce the game to a casualty of politics.