Revealed: What happens if India decide not to face Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025?

The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 has already become a hit, thanks to the scheduled match between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan that has sparked strong emotions among the Indian cricket fans. The Asia Cup 2025 is set to take place from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, with India as the official host.

However, it was not the subcontinental tournament that caught everyone’s attention, but the controversy around India playing Pakistan at the event despite Operation Sindoor, which was revenge for the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025.

India vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025 sparks emotional storm

India and Pakistan, who have not played a bilateral series in years due to political tensions, are once again slotted in the same group in the T20 tournament. The India vs Pakistan match is scheduled for September 14, possibly in Dubai, UAE. Before that, India will open their campaign against the UAE on September 10 and then face Oman on September 19.

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If both India and Pakistan progress further, they could meet again in the Super Four on September 21, and there's even a chance they face off in the Asia Cup 2025 final on September 28. This potential triple clash with Pakistan has not gone down well with Indian fans.

Many are angry that India is still facing Pakistan, especially after the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam in April 2025 that took the lives of 26 civilians. Since that incident, the Indian government has restricted all kinds of ties with Pakistan. That’s why fans are questioning why a cricket match is being allowed to take place between the two countries.

Can India avoid playing Pakistan without consequences?

There is growing pressure on the Sports Ministry to step in and force the BCCI to cancel the India vs. Pakistan match. Many feel it sends the wrong message at a time when emotions are still raw following the terror attack in Pahalgam, especially when Operation Sindoor is underway.

However, things are not as simple as the fans feel. The Asia Cup 2025 is organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and not the BCCI alone. According to the tournament rules, if India refuses to play the scheduled match against Pakistan, it will not be treated as a cancellation; instead, it will be seen as a forfeit.

This means Pakistan will be awarded all the points for the scheduled match against India, and it will be officially counted as their win over the Men in Blue in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025.

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India Champions boycott WCL 2025 Semifinal clash with Pakistan

Meanwhile, the much-awaited World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL 2025) semifinal between India Champions and Pakistan Champions has been cancelled in Birmingham. The organizers announced the decision after Indian players refused to face Pakistan in the semifinal clash.

India Champions, led by Yuvraj Singh and featuring Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Suresh Raina, stood united in their decision in the wake of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam and the rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

Semi - Finals Update ! pic.twitter.com/lTmh3j0sSP

— World Championship Of Legends (@WclLeague) July 30, 2025

However, it remains to be seen whether the India vs Pakistan clash in the 2025 Asia Cup will go ahead as planned amid the intense backlash, as the BCCI has not yet made any comment on the growing demands of boycotting the match.