Asian Cup 2025: Sourav Ganguly shares his diplomatic take on India and Pakistan Game Row
Asian Cup 2025It is set to be done in United Arab Emirates From September 9th to 28th, we promise another exciting chapter with one of cricket’s most intense rivals – India vs Pakistan. Both teams will be placed in the same group and will face off in Dubai on September 14th, with potential knockout stage encounters also on the horizon. However, this highly anticipated fixture has been the subject of controversy amid rising political tensions and the recent terrorist attacks in Pahargam, which advocated the lives of innocent civilians. Against this background, the former India Captain and exBCCI president Sourav Ganguly He expressed his diplomatic stance in particular, emphasizing the importance of continuing to play sports while clearly denounced terrorism.
Sourav Ganguly’s balanced perspective amid geopolitical tension
Ganguly expressed his clear support for India and Pakistan to face each other in the Asian Cup despite the difficult context. He acknowledged the tragedy of the Pahargam terrorist attacks and the deep pain it caused, but firmly stated that sports should not be held hostage by political violence.
“it’s okay. Sports must continue. At the same time, pahargam should not happen, but sports must continue. Terrorism should not occur. It must be stopped. India has taken a strong stance towards terrorism…We need to play sportsGanguly told Annie.
His approach reflects a delicate balance. While condemning violence and emphasizing the need to eradicate terrorism, he argues that cricket, a symbol of unity and passion across the subcontinent, should continue to be suspended. This view is particularly important given the polarised views between fans and former cricketers. Some of them oppose India-Pakistan’s clash over security and patriotic grounds following the terrorist attacks.
The decision to host the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates is a neutral venue and comes from a mutual agreement between India and Pakistan to avoid holding matches in the soil amid ongoing diplomatic tensions. India is an official host via BCCI, but will play all the matches in Dubai. The tournament format guarantees multiple potential showdowns between cricket rivals (group stage, Super 4, and possibly the final) that highlight the tournament’s dramatic stakes.
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The Asian Cup’s complete picture of the diplomacy through cricket
The Asian Cup 2025 is not only a cricket tournament, but also an event with diplomatic symbolism. Asian Cricket Council (ACC) And the BCCI’s handling of Indian and Pakistan equipment means an effort to separate sports from geopolitical discrepancies. The broadcasting station agreement requires India and Pakistan to be in the same group, ensuring a famous conflict that not only draws large audiences and revenues, but also causes intense scrutiny.
Several Indian stakeholders criticized the decision in light of recent terrorist events, and several days ago criticised the withdrawal of legendary teams at the Indian World Championships from a similar fixture against Pakistan. However, Ganguly’s support to continue scheduled matches provides a calming voice that promotes sportsmanship and resilience in cross-border cricket cooperation.
ACC President Mohs naqvi They praise the tournament as a milestone, highlighting eight teams and 19 matches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, aiming to make this Asian Cup an epic sight. His remarks reinforce the hope that cricket can act as a bridge rather than a battlefield, even amid geopolitical tensions.
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