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"Is It Right To Play Pakistan?" Aaditya Thackeray Questions India's Asia Cup Plans

Jatin

Aaditya Thackeray questioned India vs Pakistan matches [Source: @AUThackeray, @ZeeBiharNews/x.com]Aaditya Thackeray questioned India vs Pakistan matches [Source: @AUThackeray, @ZeeBiharNews/x.com]

With the Asia Cup Hockey around the corner and the T20 Asia Cup following close behind, the political pitch has started heating up. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Aaditya Thackeray isn’t too happy with India’s expected match-up against Pakistan in both tournaments, especially after the recent Pahalgam terror attack that rocked the Valley.

Aaditya Thackeray Slams India Playing Pakistan, Calls Out BJP on Double Standards

Thackeray didn’t mince words while speaking outside the Vidhan Bhavan on Friday.

“Is it right to play matches with Pakistan when the country is sponsoring terror against us? Should the Indian team play Asia Cup cricket and hockey tournaments against Pakistan? We want a clear answer from the BJP and the Union government,” he said as quoted by Outlook India.

The Shiv Sena leader raised a fiery question: if the BJP cries foul and labels others anti-national at the drop of a hat, will it do the same if Team India locks horns with Pakistan at the Asia Cup?

The Asia Cup Hockey is slated to start on August 27 in Bihar, while the T20 edition of the Asia Cup is expected in September in the UAE. While the Centre has given the green light to host the hockey matches in India, the Shiv Sena is crying foul, calling it a soft test run ahead of the cricket showdown.

“If the BCCI allows the Indian cricket team to play against Pakistan, will the BJP label it as anti-national as it does with others?” Thackeray asked.

India-Bangladesh Series Also In The Shadows

To add fuel to the fire, talks around the India-Bangladesh bilateral white-ball series next month have also hit a roadblock. With diplomatic ties taking a nosedive, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has put the brakes on the series and there is a growing buzz that the tour might be canned altogether. While there’s no official word yet, signs aren’t looking great.

It is clear that cricket and diplomacy are on a collision course once again. Whether it’s the Asia Cup clash with Pakistan or the possible India-Bangladesh series cancellation, things are heating up.