Since the Pahalgam attack happened in April 2025, the already strained relations between India and Pakistan had spiralled to another level. So much so that the very question of whether sporting ties should continue has since become a national debate. With the Asia Cup tournament scheduled in September, the big question was whether India should play Pakistan in the tournament or not.
On Thursday (August 21), the Indian Sports Ministry has given an official clearance to the BCCI to ensure that the India-Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup can go ahead as per schedule. The arch-rivals are scheduled to play each other once in the league stage with another game virtually certain in the Super Fours, following which they could also potentially meet in the final.
"With regard to international and multilateral events, in India and abroad, we are guided by the practices of international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India," read the statement issued from the Sports Ministry.
This stance from the Union government means that the current status quo with respect to India-Pakistan sporting ties will be maintained in the future as well. In cricket, India and Pakistan only participate in ICC tournaments, although there could be possible multi-team tournaments involving the two in future, considering this statement from the Government. However, bilateral cricket between the arch-rivals, as has been the case since 2012, will continue to be suspended indefinitely.
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"In so far as bilateral sports event in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India."
Apart from India and Pakistan, Group A of the Asia Cup also features United Arab Emirates and Oman. Meanwhile, Group B has Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The league encounter between India and Pakistan will be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on September 14.
Asia Cup kicks-off on September 9 with the final to be played on September 28.