Government Of India Finally Gives Verdict On India Playing Pakistan In Asia Cup

The Ministry of Sports of the Government of India has laid down the policy that will govern India’s participation in games involving Pakistan in bilateral and multinational tournaments. 

The policy, which was unveiled on Thursday, August 21, confirmed that India can not only participate in the Asia Cup in the UAE from September 9, but also compete against Pakistan as it is a multinational tournament. That means that the India-Pakistan game on September 14 in Dubai will go ahead without any trouble. 

The Ministry clarified that while India won’t be allowed to play Pakistan in a bilateral contest, there is no issue with playing Pakistan in multinational tournaments. 

“India's approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country," said the policy, as reported in the Hindustan Times. 

“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India," it added.

It ensures that the status quo which was established during the Champions Trophy 2025, where India and Pakistan don’t travel to each other’s nations but continue to play each other in multinational tournaments in neutral venues, remains sacrosanct. 

Notably, the Pakistan women’s team will also not be coming to India for the Women’s ODI World Cup, that’s beginning September 29, and will play their games in Colombo. 

After the Pahalgam Attack and Operation Sindoor, the above-mentioned status quo was being questioned as the popular sentiment wasn’t in favour of India playing Pakistan. However, this new directive from the Sports Ministry clears all such doubts.