NO IND vs PAK bilateral game as Pakistan continues to exercise Cross-Border Terrorism: India has reiterated its stance of not resuming the bilateral ties with Pakistan as it continues to engage in cross-border terrorism and infiltration activities. The Indian government has made it to a point that for the IND vs PAK bilateral cricket to revive, the latter needs to cease its involvement in terror activities.
IND vs PAK is always in the limelight for his intense rivalry, however, this time the sentiments among the Indians are different. India recently engaged with Pakistan in the cricket field, during the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, not once but twice. While India thrashed the Pakistanis in the second appearance, the first fixture ended without a result.
While a section of people expressed joy with India’s victory against Pakistan, some voiced their disappointment over the clash which provides a stage for Pakistan to portray its image as a decent neighbourhood ahead of the entire world. The time Pakistani cricketers spend with the Indian cricketers in a cricket match helps Pakistan regain the stature of a safe and sound country, which certainly they are not as long as they continue to do terror activities.
Recently, in a very painful incident for India, the motherland lost three of its Bravehearts – an Army Colonel, a Major and an officer of J&K Police – as they indulged in a joint operation to gun down the Pakistani-sponsored terrorists in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir.
Soon after the news broke out, people across sections started calling out the Indian team for playing a game of cricket against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023. They even criticised the Indian players for being too friendly with the Pakistani cricketers while the latter continued to do illegal activities in Jammu & Kashmir.
NO IND vs PAK bilateral game: Union Sports Minister
When asked about the government’s decision on the bilateral ties with Pakistan, Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, confirmed India’s standpoint of not continuing any relation until the other party stops infiltration across the border.
“As far as sports is concerned, BCCI had long before decided that bilateral matches with Pakistan won’t be held till they stop infiltration and cross-border terrorism. I think this is the sentiment of every common citizen of this country,” Anurag Thakur, a former BCCI president, said on Friday.
Notably, India locked horns against Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023, which is being held jointly in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Earlier the tournament was solely scheduled to be held in Pakistan, however, later Sri Lanka was added to host the tournament.
The BCCI refused to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup 2023, and eventually, a hybrid model was formulated to host the tournament in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
As of now, Pakistan has been eliminated from the tournament, while India has advanced to the finals of it. India will play out the Asia Cup 2023 final against Sri Lanka on September 17 in Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.
For more details head to ICC’s official website.