As a former cricketer, I’ve seen bouncers that rattled helmets, but nothing rattles this country quite like the words “India vs Pakistan.” And here we are again — pads strapped on, gloves tightened, and the scoreboard flashing a diplomatic crisis instead of runs and wickets.
The Asia Cup 2025 groups are set: India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman in Group A; Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong in Group B. The date to mark — or dread — is September 14, when India faces Pakistan in the UAE. At least, that’s the plan.
Now, there’s a twist. What if India decides to skip playing Pakistan? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is bound by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) commitments, and as the host nation (yes, technically hosting from the UAE — modern cricket’s “neutral” Switzerland), pulling out would be a breach of agreement. A no-show means an automatic forfeit, full points to Pakistan, and zero for India from that game. Cue headlines in Karachi about “victory without a ball bowled.”
Still, here’s the irony: even if India forfeits the Pakistan game, we could still qualify for the semi-finals by beating UAE and Oman. Imagine — two gentle net sessions disguised as group matches, a smooth entry into the knockouts, and no awkward handshakes with the opposition at the toss. Pakistan might top the group but then lose to Sri Lanka or Bangladesh in the semis, leaving India to lift the trophy without ever facing them. Talk about winning by “meticulous strategy.”
But hold on — the politics. Ever since the Pahalgam terror attack, which reignited Indo-Pak hostilities, public sentiment has been running hot enough to reverse-swing a Kookaburra in the UAE humidity. AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi even thundered in the Lok Sabha, demanding to know how a government that retaliated fiercely after Pulwama could now allow “cricket diplomacy” to sneak through the covers. He “personally cannot digest” such a decision. Fair enough — many fans are struggling to swallow it too.
The government, however, isn’t without options. The Narendra Modi-led NDA has brought the BCCI under the ambit of the new national sports policy. Translation: if the government says “no cricket with Pakistan,” the BCCI pads up accordingly. The silence from both sides suggests they’re weighing whether this is the time to play away the diplomatic bouncer or step out and go for the big shot.
Of course, let’s not pretend this is just about cricket. India vs Pakistan is never just a match. It’s a pressure cooker where every run is a statement and every wicket is a headline. The Asia Cup T20 format could even throw up three India-Pakistan clashes if both sides keep winning — a nightmare for those calling for a boycott, but a dream for broadcasters already counting the ad revenue.
As a cricketer, I’m torn. Part of me says sport should rise above politics — that we should walk out, bat in hand, and let skill do the talking. Another part remembers that some bowlers don’t just bowl bouncers — they bowl grenades. And when that’s the case, pretending it’s “just a game” feels willfully blind.
So, what happens next? If India plays, the match becomes a global spectacle of cricket as diplomacy — a cover drive across a minefield. If India boycotts, we could still win the Asia Cup while Pakistan sulks about “what might have been.” Either way, the scoreboard will have more than just runs and wickets — it’ll carry the weight of national sentiment, political posturing, and enough noise to make a stadium feel silent.
And maybe that’s the real tragedy. Cricket between India and Pakistan once symbolised hope, rivalry, and artistry under pressure. Now it’s just another pawn in the great game of geopolitics. As someone who’s played for the love of the sport, I can only hope we don’t forget the cricket in our cricket matches.
