Chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar was stopped from answering questions about Pakistan during a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday, August 19. Agarkar, who was answering questions from the media at India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement press conference, was interrupted by the Indian Cricket Board representative at the venue before he could respond to the question.

The Indian cricket team will play Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. This would be the first time that the cricket teams from the two nations will face each other in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

India and Pakistan could lock horns as many as three times in the tournament, as there’s a likelihood of them meeting again in the Super 4 stages on September 21 and the final as well, after the group stages.

This has seen backlash from several sections of the country considering the current cross-border tensions between the countries. Sources had earlier told India Today in May that India wouldn’t participate in or host the Asia Cup in the aftermath of the terrorist attack that killed tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. However, the BCCI’s stance changed, and the tournament has been moved to a neutral venue.

Several former players like Kedar Jadhav and Harbhajan Singh have advised the BCCI against playing against Pakistan. Harbhajan, who was part of India’s squad in the exhibition tournament named World Championship of Legends, was a key member in the team boycotting their match against Pakistan in that league.

Jadhav, on the other hand, urged the national team to boycott their matches against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, set to begin on 9 September in the UAE.

“I don’t think the Indian team should play. I also believe India won’t play. Wherever India face them (Pakistan), they will win anyway. But this match should definitely not go ahead. I can say with confidence that it won’t happen,” Jadhav told ANI.

India Announce Asia Cup Squad

Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav announced India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad on Tuesday. Test captain Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah made their return into the side.

India squad for Asia Cup T20: Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh

– Ends

Tune In