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IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal Breaks Silence On India Playing Vs Pakistan In Asia Cup 2025

Anurag Dasgupta

Dhumal on IND Vs PAK match [Source: AFP Photo]Dhumal on IND Vs PAK match [Source: AFP Photo]

Indian Premier League (IPL) Chairman, Arun Dhumal, broke his silence on India’s stance on playing vs Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 event, despite a strong backlash from the Indian fans. The two nations have had tense relations in the last few months, ever since the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22.

The Indian armed forces started Operation Sindoor to counter the cross-border terrorism, and the relations between the two neighbours have completely broken down. 

Dhumal breaks silence on IND Vs PAK Asia Cup match

As a result, there were reports that India might not travel to the UAE to play in the Asia Cup, but recently, the Government of India set the guidelines, which allowed its international teams to play against Pakistan in a multi-national tournament, but refrained them from participating in bilateral series.

Speaking to ANI, Dhumal clarified that India won’t play in a bilateral series vs Pakistan, but as per the government guidelines, the Indian team will take part in the Asia Cup to take on their arch-rivals.

"I would like to wish Team India all the best. I think the government has clarified its position. We are not going to play Pakistan, but we are going to play them in ACC/ICC events. So we will follow what the government says" Dhumal told ANI. 

IND-PAK clash received massive backlash

In a not-so-surprising decision, both India and Pakistan have been put in the same Asia Cup group, alongside the UAE and Oman. Interestingly, if both sides managed to reach the next round, they would meet again in the Super 4 stage.

With emotions running high after the terror attack in Pahalgam, the BCCI has received a lot of flak for playing against Pakistan in the Asia Cup and not boycotting the event. Many fans have blasted the Indian cricket board for agreeing to play in the multi-nation event, and even captain Suryakumar Yadav was slammed for shaking hands with PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi during the captain's meet.