Pahalgam incident and demands for boycotts - Is it appropriate for India and Pakistan to compete against one another in the Asia Cup 2025?

A blockbuster encounter between India & Pakistan headlines the 2025 Asia Cup T20 which commenced on Tuesday of this week as the two-rivals square off for the first time in Cricket since the Pahalgam military-conflict in May of this year. Along with the continental bragging rights, this 20-20 tournament will serve as a practice ground ahead of next year’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India & Sri Lanka. The tournament featuring eight teams in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) began on Tuesday when Afghanistan defeated minnows Hong-Kong, China in Abu Dhabi.

Both sides will lock horns versus each other on the 14^th of September in the capital of the UAE – Dubai, with Pakistani bowling legend Wasim Akram making a massive statement ahead of the clash and he said that both fans & players of both sides should “stay disciplined and should not cross the line in this massive encounter”.

The two Asian neighbours haven’t met each other on either side’s home soil in a bilateral-series since 2012 and only clash against each other in multi-national tournaments at neutral venues. They are a part of the same group in the current edition of the Asia Cup and could potentially take on each other three-times in the competition, which comes to an end on the 28^th of September.

Tensions have escalated following the most intense four-day conflict between the two nations since 1999. Before a ceasefire was reached, the hostilities in May resulted in the deaths of over 70 people due to artillery, drone, and missile strikes. Both sides proclaimed a victory, and as a sign of lingering hostility, a team of retired Indian players withdrew from their semi-final match against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends, scheduled for July and August in England. With calls for a boycott of the matches growing, the Indian team, led by former international player Yuvraj Singh, also opted out of facing Pakistan during the group stage of the tournament.

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The veterans team featured former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has been strongly opposed to the Asia Cup match. Harbhajan expressed to The Times of India, "We can't play cricket while there is fighting and tension at the border between the two nations." “Cricket holds little importance until these significant issues are addressed.”

In their latest cricket encounter, which occurred in Dubai again in February, The Men in Blue triumphed over the Shaheens by a margin of six wickets went on to clinch the Champions Trophy for the second time. With a record of 10-3 against the Green Shirts in 20-20 internationals, they also stand as the reigning Asia Cup champions and, under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav, are considered heavy favorites against their historic opponents.

Pakistan will not be fielding its top players, Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan as both were excluded from the shortest format of the game due to their lackluster performance. India, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma reigned supreme over the host nation Sri Lanka in the final held in Colombo two years ago to clinch the previous edition of the Asia Cup, which was conducted in a 50-over format. This time around as well, the Men in Blue stands as the frontrunner to reclaim the title.

The five full members of the Asian Cricket Council—India, Sri Lanka Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan—automatically qualified for the tournament. They are joined by the UAE, Oman, & Hong Kong-China which secured their spots by securing the top-3 spots of the Asian Cricket Council men's Premier Cup.

Group A is made up of India, hosts UAE, Pakistan and Oman.

Group B comprises Bangladesh, Hong Kong Afghanistan and Sri Lanka.

The group stage will be followed by a Super Four round, followed by the final which is slated to be played in Dubai, the capital of the UAE.

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