Following the Asia Cup 2025 controversy, a BCCI official addressed global calls to reduce or halt India vs Pakistan Matches. The official emphasized that while it’s easy to demand such changes, financial and broadcast realities make it difficult to implement. The debate continues over whether cricket should separate itself from ongoing political tensions.
BCCI Official Gives Reality Check on Calls to Stop India vs Pakistan Matches
The Asia Cup 2025 ended on September 28 amid controversy when the Indian cricket team refused to collect the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Their decision came after the Pahalgam terror attack, as players showed solidarity with the victims by avoiding a handshake with the Pakistan team.
During the tournament, India vs Pakistan Matches were held three times, including the final, all of which were won by the Suryakumar Yadav-led Indian side. However, political tension off the field overshadowed cricketing excellence, sparking a global debate on whether these high-voltage encounters should continue.
Former England captain Michael Atherton recently advised the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider scheduling frequent India vs Pakistan Matches until relations between the two nations improve. Writing for The Times, Atherton noted:
“If cricket was once the vehicle for diplomacy, it is now clearly a proxy for broader tensions and propaganda. There’s little justification for a serious sport to schedule fixtures merely to satisfy economic needs.”
In response, a BCCI official, speaking anonymously to Dainik Jagran, offered a grounded view.
“It’s easy to talk about all this, but will sponsors and broadcasters agree to it? In today’s situation, if any major team not just India withdraws from a tournament, it will be difficult to attract sponsors,” the official stated.
The BCCI’s stance highlights the commercial and diplomatic complexity of maintaining or discontinuing India vs Pakistan Matches. Despite political strain, the rivalry continues to be one of the most-watched and commercially lucrative spectacles in global sports.
Since their last bilateral series in 2013, both nations have met only in ICC and ACC events like the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and Asia Cup. Each clash carries not only sporting significance but also political and emotional weight.
The BCCI’s reaction suggests that while reducing India-Pakistan fixtures may seem idealistic, financial, emotional, and diplomatic realities make it nearly impossible to execute in modern cricket.
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FAQ
Why did the Indian team refuse to take the Asia Cup 2025 trophy?
The Indian players chose not to receive the trophy from ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also a Pakistani minister, as a mark of respect for Pahalgam terror attack victims.
What did Michael Atherton suggest about India-Pakistan matches?
He suggested reducing their frequency and making ICC tournament draws more transparent, avoiding over-commercialization.
What was the BCCI’s response?
A BCCI official stated that stopping these matches isn’t practical since sponsors and broadcasters would oppose it due to massive financial implications.
When was the last bilateral India-Pakistan series played?
The last bilateral series between India and Pakistan was in 2013. Since then, the teams have only met in ICC or ACC tournaments.
Why are India vs Pakistan Matches important for world cricket?
They attract record-breaking viewership, global attention, and huge sponsorships, making them vital for the sport’s economics and fan engagement.
