Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, cricket legend Kapil Dev has weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding the India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup. The match, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on September 14, has sparked heated debate. Despite pressure from various quarters, including an activist’s petition in the Supreme Court calling for a ban, the match is currently set to go ahead as planned.
In an exclusive interview with News18, Kapil Dev, one of India’s most revered cricketing icons, emphasized that the fate of the match rests entirely on the country’s policy. He refrained from taking a strong stance on whether the game should proceed, deferring the decision to the Indian government.
Kapil Dev’s Statement on the Matter
“I do not know who is opposing it. The country makes the policy, and everything happens according to the policy. If the country wants the match to happen, then it should happen. If the country does not want it, then it should not,” said Kapil Dev.
Kapil further clarified that the decision is beyond his realm, saying, “I am not at that level to protest. Whether the match happens or not, the country’s policy and the players decide it.”
BCCI’s Position and Government Stance
As of now, the BCCI has not made an official statement regarding the controversy surrounding the match. Meanwhile, the Indian government has made its stance clear. Last month, the government announced that India will not engage in bilateral sports events with Pakistan, but both teams are allowed to play against each other in international or multinational events, including the Asia Cup.
A government statement further elaborated, saying, “With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interest of our own sportspersons.”
It also acknowledged India’s growing stature as a credible venue for hosting international sports events, stating, “Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.”
As tensions continue to rise, it’s clear that the decision on whether the India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash will go ahead remains firmly in the hands of the government and relevant authorities. While cricket fans eagerly await the high-profile match, the final call rests on the policies shaped by the country’s leadership and international guidelines.
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