‘Sports must go on,' says ex-Indian captain on Asia Cup cricket clash with Pakistan
Pakistan and India are set to lock horns in the upcoming Asia Cup tournament to be played from September 9-28. The two traditional archrivals are expected to meet each other on the cricket field on September 14 in a high-stakes group clash to be held in the UAE.
India and Pakistan have not hosted each other for a bilateral series in over a decade, with political and security concerns consistently spilling over into cricketing ties. Former Indian cricketers, including Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan, have publicly called for India to boycott matches against Pakistan after the two countries engaged in a brief military conflict in May.
'Yeah, I'm okay, I'm okay. Sport must go on,' Ganguly told Asian News International on Sunday. 'At the same time Pahalgam must not happen but sports must go on.'
The former BCCI president was talking about an attack on April 22 at Pahalgam, a tourist resort in Indian-administered Kashmir, where gunmen killed 26 people.
The incident sparked an armed conflict between the two countries, with New Delhi blaming Islamabad for supporting the attack. Pakistan denied the allegations and called for an international, transparent inquiry into the incident.
India and Pakistan enjoy one of the fiercest sports rivalries when it comes to cricket. Separated after partition in 1947, both nuclear-armed countries have fought three wars against each other over the past seven decades, with diplomatic ties between them remaining mostly bitter.
The political tensions make for an enthralling contest every time the two teams compete against each other. India and Pakistan clashes have been the biggest, quickest-selling and most anticipated matches of every multilateral cricket tournament, drawing thousands to stadiums across the globe and millions to TV sets worldwide.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
38 minutes ago
- Arab News
Pakistan PM grants Rs5 million cheque for MMA fighter Shahzaib Rind after payment controversy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif granted a cheque for Rs5 million [$17,655] for Pakistani mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Shahzaib Rind on Tuesday, the premier's office said days after the athlete criticized the government for not fulfilling its commitment of providing him monetary reward and support. Rind took to social media platform X on July 23 to say that Sharif had promised him a sum of Rs5 million [$17,630] and Rs80 million [$282,080] to support the athlete's training camp and upcoming fights last year. In a video message, the MMA fighter had said Sharif promised him the rewards after he beat Indian fighter Rana Singh at the Karate Combat 45 competition in Dubai last year. However, the Pakistani fighter said the government did not fulfill its promise to him. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar apologized to Rind on Twitter last week, promising him that the prime minister would resolve the issue soon. Sharif met Rind's father Khair Muhammad at the Prime Minister's House on Tuesday during which he presented the cheque to him, Sharif's office said. 'During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his best wishes for Shahzaib Rind in his upcoming competitions,' the statement said. Rind, who hails from the impoverished southwestern Balochistan province, won his first martial arts title in 2011 after claiming victory in a provincial-level competition. His first national title came in 2019 when he triumphed at the National Games in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. During the two-and-a-half years of an undefeated Karate Combat career, Rind has fought fighters from North America, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, France and India.
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
Government says Pakistan to expand shipping capacity by 600% under maritime overhaul
KARACHI: Pakistan plans to expand its national shipping fleet by 600% over the next three years under a sweeping new initiative to modernize its maritime sector, cut sea freight costs, and reduce dependence on foreign vessels, the country's maritime minister said on Tuesday. The announcement came after a signing ceremony where officials from the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Port Qasim Authority (PQA) inked separate agreements with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) to finance the fleet expansion and upgrade program. 'This initiative reflects our broader vision to modernize the maritime sector, boost operational efficiency and introduce advanced technologies across all institutions,' Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said according to an official statement. Chaudhry said the expansion would focus on integrating energy-efficient and climate-smart vessels into the state-run fleet to align with Pakistan's national climate goals. He said the plan is aimed at conserving foreign exchange and enabling compliance with global environmental standards. Officials from KPT and PQA said the upgraded fleet would enhance Pakistan's trade connectivity and reduce the environmental impact of sea transport by lowering fuel consumption and emissions. Pakistan is stepping up efforts to strengthen port infrastructure to support international trade. The Maritime Affairs Ministry recently announced plans to expand Gwadar Port's capacity, including the introduction of new shipping lines and a direct ferry service between Gwadar and the Gulf countries, set to improve freight and passenger connectivity with the Gulf region. Pakistan has also offered access to its southern ports to Central Asian countries, positioning itself as a gateway for regional transit commerce under broader corridor agreements and transit trade frameworks.
Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Al-Ain to host first Abu Dhabi Grappling Championship
AL-AIN: The inaugural Abu Dhabi World Grappling Championship 2025 will take place from Aug. 1 to 3 at ADNEC Centre Al-Ain, it was announced recently by International Vision Sports Management. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport This initiative is being held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and under the banner of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro. The championship will feature hundreds of male and female athletes from over 20 countries, including youth, amateurs, masters and professionals. Saeed Al-Dhaheri, destination management director at the department, said: 'As Abu Dhabi grows in prominence as a hub for major global sporting events, combat sports have emerged as an increasingly important pillar of our sport and entertainment vision for the emirate.' The event will join other top shows in the UAE including Abu Dhabi Showdown Week, UFC Fight Nights, and the Jiu-Jitsu World Championships, Al-Dhaheri added. 'We look forward to new audiences in Al-Ain Region and across Abu Dhabi being introduced to this exciting and increasingly popular sport.' Tareq Al-Bahri, general manager of International Vision Sports Management, said: 'This event underscores the UAE's leadership in hosting elite combat sports, offering a platform for athletes worldwide to excel. 'With the support of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, we aim to deliver unparalleled competition and establish a lasting legacy for grappling in the region.' As part of the AJP Tour, competitors of all nationalities can participate across age divisions, from under 14 to over 35 in the amateur and professional categories. Winners will earn 2,000 ranking points and substantial cash prizes. The event's opening day will focus on professional bouts up to the semifinals, followed by youth and amateur competitions on the second day. The championship will conclude with third-place playoffs and finals.
