IND vs PAK: Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly on playing Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 - 'Sport must go on'
The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 is already generating headlines, not just for its blockbuster fixtures but also for the political tension surrounding them. Scheduled from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, the tournament sees India and Pakistan once again drawn in the same group, setting the stage for potential multiple high-voltage encounters.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has weighed in on the controversy, especially in light of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
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While acknowledging the national sentiment, Ganguly maintained a firm but balanced stance.
'I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time, Pahalgam should not happen. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped. India took a strong stance towards terrorism...
Sport needs to be played,' he told ANI.
His comments come amid growing criticism following the Asia Cup draw.
The backlash intensified after Pakistan's Danish Kaneria questioned India's participation, drawing a contrast with India's withdrawal from the World Championship of Legends (WCL) clash against Pakistan in July due to patriotic reasons.
The Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format, acting as a tune-up for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
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For the first time, eight teams are participating. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman; Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
India begin their campaign against UAE on September 10 and faces Pakistan on September 14, a fixture already considered among the biggest in world sport.
If both teams advance, they could meet again in the Super Four stage and possibly even in the final on September 28, making for a potential triple showdown.
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