New Delhi: The schedule for the Asia Cup was released on Saturday evening, confirming that the clash between India and Pakistan will take place on September 14 in Dubai, confirmed by Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi. Depending on match outcomes, the two teams could face each other up to three times during the tournament.
However, just hours after the announcement, social media users and political parties opposed India’s participation against Pakistan, with many voicing concerns and calling for a boycott of the match.
The Congress party's youth wing questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X and said, "The ICC has announced the India vs Pakistan cricket match in the Asia Cup. The Prime Minister had said that terrorism and sports cannot go together, so what is all this? The ICC chairman is none other than the Home Minister's son, Jay Shah, meaning it was all done with consent. So, what about those killed in Pahalgam?"
Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, reacting to the schedule, said if this match happens, it will be the failure of the government and the BCCI. She further said that every citizen of the country will boycott the match. "If this match happens then it is not just the failure of the government, it is also the failure of BCCI that on one hand today is Kargil Day, today we remember our armed forces and pay tribute to those who died fighting for the country, and on the same day the Interior Minister of Pakistan who is the president of PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) announces that Asia Cup is going to be held in UAE," she said speaking to news agency ANI.
Questioning about how BCCI was alowed to have a match with Pakistan she further said,"Till now, those terrorists of Pahalgam are still absconding. Finding them is our priority, it has to be... When we have cancelled all other cultural relations, blocked their YouTube channels, blocked them on Twitter. Then, in what way is BCCI being allowed to have a match between India and Pakistan?"
"All of us, not only me, but every citizen of the country will oppose this," she added.
Below is the schedule of Asia Cup 2025
9 September (Tuesday): Afghanistan vs Hong Kong
10 September (Wednesday): India vs UAE
11 September (Thursday): Bangladesh vs Hong Kong
12 September (Friday): Pakistan vs Oman
13 September (Saturday): Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
14 September (Sunday): India vs Pakistan
15 September (Monday): Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
16 September (Tuesday): Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
17 September (Wednesday): Pakistan vs UAE
18 September (Thursday): Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan
19 September (Friday): India vs Oman
Super 4
20 September (Saturday): Group B Qualifier 1 vs Group B Qualifier 2
21 September (Sunday): Group A Qualifier 1 vs Group A Qualifier 2
22 September (Monday): Rest Day
23 September (Tuesday): Group A Qualifier 1 vs Group B Qualifier 2
24 September (Wednesday): Group B Qualifier 1 vs Group A Qualifier 2
25 September (Thursday): Group A Qualifier 2 vs Group B Qualifier 2
26 September (Friday): Group A Qualifier 1 vs Group B Qualifier 1
27 September (Saturday): Break Day
Final
28 September (Sunday): Final Match
Team India are the defending champions
