Former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has raised concerns over the upcoming India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025. Citing the ongoing absence of bilateral cricket between the two nations due to political tensions, Azharuddin argued that such high-profile encounters should not occur in international events either.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) recently confirmed the India-Pakistan clash on September 14 in the UAE as part of the Asia Cup, sparking widespread debate.
“No Bilateral, No International Either,” Says Azharuddin
Azharuddin was firm in his stance. “I always say that everything should happen, otherwise if it doesn’t happen, it should not happen at all. If you are not playing bilateral matches, then you should not play international matches either – this is my belief,” he remarked.
His comments directly challenge the precedent where India and Pakistan only face off in ICC or ACC events, despite not engaging in bilateral series since the 2012-13 season.
Clarifies the Difference Between WCL and Asia Cup
Azhar also addressed the recent withdrawal of India Champions from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match against Pakistan, clarifying that it shouldn’t be compared to official events. “The Champions League is not official, it is not recognised by the ICC or BCCI. It is organised privately. But the Asia Cup is a tournament which is organised by the ACC,” he added.
The Asia Cup 2025, set to begin on September 9 in the UAE, will feature eight teams. Group A includes India, Pakistan, Oman, and the UAE, while Group B has Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. The top teams will progress to the Super 4 stage, culminating in the final on September 28.
Also Read: Shikhar Dhawan on Possible IND vs PAK Clash: “Will Do It Again”
