Tensions Flare Over India-Pakistan Asia Cup Match Amid Boycott Demands

New Delhi: Political tensions have escalated ahead of the India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match scheduled for September 14, 2025, in Dubai, as opposition leaders and victims’ families call for a boycott following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran meadow. The attack, attributed to Pakistani terrorists, has fueled outrage, with critics labeling the decision to proceed with the match as insensitive.

Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of Kanpur businessman Shubham Dwivedi, who perished in the Pahalgam attack, urged the public to shun the game. Speaking to PTI, she criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for ignoring the grief of affected families, calling the match “deeply insensitive.” Her appeal has resonated widely, amplifying public and political discontent.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray announced ‘Sindoor’ protests across Maharashtra, emphasizing that boycotting the match is a chance to signal India’s firm stance against terrorism. In a Hindi post on X, he condemned the BCCI, accusing Pakistani players of mocking Indian widows and shaming the BJP-led government for allowing the game. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj also protested, burning an effigy at the party’s New Delhi office on September 13, 2025, as reported by PTI.

The BCCI, however, defended its decision. Secretary Devajit Saikia told Hindustan Times that the match aligns with central government policy on multilateral tournaments, noting that India has avoided bilateral cricket with Pakistan since 2012-13. He explained that multilateral events like the Asia Cup, where India and Pakistan may face off up to three times if both advance, complicate unilateral decisions.

Social media reflects the growing unrest, with hashtags like #BoycottINDvPAK trending. Despite the protests, the match is set to proceed, highlighting the ongoing tension between sport and geopolitics.