Indian cricketers banned from using Pakistani net bowlers in Asia Cup 2025
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India have already qualified for the Super-4 stages of the Asia Cup 2025; however, they will play their final group-stage game against Oman. However, the message is clear that Indian players should avoid interactions with Pakistani net bowlers at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup resulted in large-scale controversies, since the Indian players denied the customary handshake to the Pakistani players after Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube finished the chase for India.
These actions led to large-scale implications, as the Pakistan Cricket Board was unconvinced with the conduct and also went on to demand the replacement of the match referee, Andy Pycroft. However, the ICC has snubbed the claims of the PCB.
Indian team have been instructed to avoid Pakistan net bowlers in the Asia Cup
India have qualified for the next stage in the Asia Cup 2025 tournament. They are through to the Super-4 stage and are currently training at the ICC Academy in Dubai. They will take on Oman on the 19th of September.
According to Geo News, the team management gave Suryakumar Yadav-led side a strict ultimatum to 'maintain distance' from the Pakistani net bowlers at the ICC Academy. The Academy is known to have net bowlers from all countries, like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, and more.
The presence of players from all origins has often marked the Indian senior cricketers engaging in conversations alongside the young bowlers in the nets. Even the current Pakistan quick Haris Rauf was once a net bowler against India back in 2018/19. The team management has strictly prohibited such interactions this time.
India avoid the practice session and press conference on Wednesday
The Indian team have cancelled their practice session and the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. The Indian management has called it a 'rest day.' Even before the start of the Asia Cup contest, the BCCI had released a schedule that claimed India players are slated to hold a three-hour practice session on the 17th of September.
It was also reported that a member of the Indian team would be available to attend the press conference; however, the board confirmed that both the events were cancelled and the updates over the rescheduled time would be conveyed later. The information came through the BCCI WhatsApp group.
Will India keep the same stance if they face Pakistan in the Super-4 stage?
Sources told the Pakistani media outlet that "Indian players have been specifically told not to engage in casual conversations or pose for pictures with Pakistani net bowlers."
The report added, "To ensure compliance, the net bowlers are required to hand over their mobile phones before training sessions, which are only returned once practice concludes."
Though all these steps have been meant for the players taking part in the practice sessions in the ICC Academy, this clearly gives an insight into what intentions India holdbcc if they meet Pakistan further in the Asia Cup 2025. India will have to play against Pakistan in the Super-4 stage if Pakistan can register a win in their next game against the UAE.
