Gautam Gambhir leaks BCCI stance on IND vs PAK ICC, ACC Matches after Pahalgam Terror Attack

India head coach Gautam Gambhir made a hard-hitting statement on the India-Pakistan cricket relationship following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The former cricketer stated that India should stop sporting or cultural engagement with Pakistan until cross-border terrorism ends.

The deadly attack further worsened the relationship between India and Pakistan. Many Pakistani athletes had their social media accounts restricted within India. Notably, the two countries have not engaged in bilateral cricket for more than ten years, only facing each other in ICC and ACC tournaments.

There Should Not Be Anything Between India and Pakistan - Gautam Gambhir

At an ABP event, Gautam Gambhir revealed his stance on future cricket matches between India and Pakistan. Gambhir stated that there should be no engagement, whether in sports, films, or cultural events, between the two nations. He acknowledged that the final decision rests with the government.

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"My personal answer to this is absolutely no. Till all this (cross-border terrorism) doesn’t stop, there should not be anything between India and Pakistan. Ultimately, this is the government’s call whether we play them or not.

"I have said this before also, no cricket match or Bollywood or any other interaction is more important than the life of Indian soldiers and Indian citizens," Gambhir said.

"Matches will keep happening, movies will be made, singers will continue to perform, but nothing comes close to losing a loved one in your family."

❗Gautam Gambhir: "India shouldn't PLAY against Pakistan, even in ICC events, until terrorism ends."

— Do you AGREE with him...? pic.twitter.com/AuzvLCrzjz

— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) May 6, 2025

For BCCI and the Government to Decide - Gautam Gambhir on Asia Cup 2025

Gautam Gambhir stated that the decision to play against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup or next year’s T20 World Cup will be decided by the Indian government. He said that whatever decision the authorities make should be respected without making it into a political issue.

"This is not up to me, this is for BCCI and more importantly, the government to decide whether we should play them or not (Upcoming Asia Cup and T20 World Cup). Whatever decision they make, we should be absolutely fine with it and not politicise it," said Gambhir (via aforementioned source).

India and Pakistan Last Played Against Each Other in the 2025 Champions Trophy

India and Pakistan last played against each other in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the Men in Blue secured a six-wicket win. With the upcoming Asia Cup expected to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka, there are concerns about the tournament's future.

Bilateral cricket between the two nations has been suspended for over a decade, and their only clashes now happen during ICC or ACC events. India has consistently avoided traveling to Pakistan for such tournaments.

In both the 2023 Asia Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, India played its matches outside Pakistan under a hybrid hosting model. However, Pakistan traveled to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Indian cricketers are competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL), while their Pakistani counterparts are participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Also read: 'Will solve all problems': KL Rahul ordered to open for DC in remainder of IPL 2025