The schedule for the next Asia Cup was announced on Saturday, July 26 and the tournament will be starting from September 9. The two nations might be playing against three times in just one month but India’s decision to play against Pakistan has received huge backlash. The initial match both nations is set to be played on September 14, with a probable rematch in the Super Four round on September 21.
India’s Olympic Ambitions Behind Relaxed Stance?
As per a Cricbuzz report, India hosting the 2036 Olympics bid is one of the primary reasons for its softened stance on sporting relations with Pakistan. Hosting the Olympics necessitates countries to prove themselves to be open-minded and neutral within international sport in line with the Olympic Charter’s Rule 44, which forbids exclusion by reason of political, religious, or racial grounds.
Government’s Position: No Objection To Multilateral Events
Earlier in July, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya made it very clear that the Indian government has no problem with matches against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments. In fact, India recently approved the Pakistan Hockey Team to take part in the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament, which will be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29.
Women’s Cricket Also Ready For India-Pakistan Matches
The India-Pakistan rivalry will also be seen in women’s cricket. The two countries will be playing against each other at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, adding to the heated ongoing debate in the public sphere about sporting ties with Pakistan.
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Recent Controversy Adds Fuel To Fire
This move comes after the latest controversy surrounding the World Championship of Legends (WCL), when a match between India and Pakistan was suddenly cancelled, putting extra pressure on sporting relations as well as raising eyebrows regarding the latest Asia Cup proposals.