The schedule for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 has officially been released, and once again, India and Pakistan find themselves in the same group, igniting both excitement
The schedule for the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 has officially been released, and once again, India and Pakistan find themselves in the same group, igniting both excitement and controversy. Scheduled to be played on 14th September 2025, the India vs Pakistan match is already making headlines—not just for its sporting rivalry, but for the political and emotional undercurrents surrounding it.
Despite being one of the most-watched fixtures in international cricket, the inclusion of India and Pakistan in the same group has drawn criticism from a section of Indian fans. Many have expressed displeasure on social media, especially in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which were linked to Pakistan-based groups. The incident had already heightened tensions between the two nations.
Amidst this politically sensitive backdrop, former BCCI President and Indian cricket legend Sourav Ganguly made a public statement supporting the continuation of sporting ties, which has further fueled the debate.
According to the official schedule of Asia Cup 2025, India and Pakistan have been placed together in Group A, alongside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman. Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
The tournament will begin on September 9, with the first match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. India is scheduled to play its first group-stage match against UAE on September 10, while the most anticipated fixture of the tournament, India vs Pakistan, will take place on September 14.
The group-stage matches will continue until September 19, followed by the Super 4 stage starting from September 20, culminating in the grand final on September 28, 2025.
The announcement that India will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 has sparked significant backlash from certain quarters of the Indian public. Many feel that playing cricket against Pakistan so soon after the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which reportedly had Pakistani links, is insensitive and inappropriate.
Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian Army conducted retaliatory airstrikes on terrorist camps across the border, drawing widespread national support. Several sports and entertainment associations, too, had distanced themselves from any Pakistan-based collaborations.
In fact, just weeks ago, during the World Championship of Legends, a match between Indian and Pakistani former cricketers was cancelled after a public outcry. Indian legends had declined to participate, leading to the match being officially scrapped.
This context makes the India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup even more controversial. Many fans believe that the BCCI and Asian Cricket Council should have considered the emotional sentiments of the Indian public before allowing such a fixture.
In a conversation with news agency ANI, Sourav Ganguly responded to the criticism around India and Pakistan being in the same group. He said:
“I have no problem with it. The sport must go on. What happened in Pahalgam should not have happened, but the game should continue. Terrorism must stop, and India has always taken a strong stand against it.”
While Ganguly’s statement was perhaps intended to promote the idea of separating sports from politics, many fans did not receive it well. Social media platforms were flooded with angry responses, with some users accusing him of being insensitive to national sentiments.
Sourav Ganguly is a respected name in Indian cricket, known for his aggressive style of leadership and deep commitment to the national team. His remark about letting the game go on while simultaneously condemning terrorism highlights a complex issue that India—and indeed, the global sports community—has faced for decades: should political conflicts influence sporting events?
Many fans believe that India should completely cut off sporting ties with Pakistan until there is visible and credible action taken against terrorism. Others argue that cricket offers a platform for soft diplomacy and people-to-people connection, especially when governments are at odds.
The statement, “The game should continue,” reflects the latter viewpoint but is clearly not resonating with everyone at this sensitive moment.
There is no denying that India vs Pakistan is the most-watched rivalry in world cricket. Every match between the two nations draws millions of viewers globally, with broadcasters and advertisers betting big on its massive appeal.
But this time, the stakes are higher, and the emotional baggage is heavier. The wounds of the Pahalgam attack are still fresh, and for many Indians, cricket with Pakistan feels like a betrayal of national pride.
While sports have the power to unite, in some cases, they also become symbolic battlegrounds for unresolved political and ideological tensions.
Here is a quick breakdown of the Asia Cup 2025 group stage:
The matches will be played across multiple venues in the UAE and Oman, with high security and diplomatic attention likely during the India-Pakistan match.
As of now, there is no indication that the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025 will be canceled or rescheduled. Despite public outrage and strong emotional sentiments, the governing cricket bodies seem to be moving forward with the original fixture list.
Whether this decision turns out to be diplomatically productive or emotionally polarizing remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Asia Cup 2025 is not just about cricket—it’s about diplomacy, public sentiment, security, and the thin line between competition and cooperation.
The clash between India and Pakistan is always electric, but in 2025, it comes with a deeper sense of responsibility. The sporting world—and the world at large—will be watching closely. While cricket fans eagerly await the high-voltage action on the field, the emotional and political undertones off the field cannot be ignored.
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The India vs Pakistan match is scheduled to be played on 14th September 2025 as part of the group-stage matches in Asia Cup 2025.
India is in Group A along with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman. Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
The controversy stems from the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which was reportedly linked to Pakistan. Many fans feel that India should not play against Pakistan so soon after such a sensitive incident.
Sourav Ganguly said, “I have no problem with it. The sport must go on… Terrorism must stop, and India has always taken a strong stand against it.” His statement sparked mixed reactions on social media.
Yes, Ganguly supported the idea of continuing sporting ties, saying that while terrorism is unacceptable, cricket and sports should not come to a halt due to politics.
