Mohammad Azharuddin has never been one to hold back and once again, the former India captain has let out his thoughts, this time questioning why India are set to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, despite refusing to engage in bilateral cricket for over a decade.
“Either everything or nothing”
“If you’re not playing bilateral matches, then you shouldn’t be playing them in international tournaments either. That’s what I believe,” Azhar said on Sunday as per TOI. This statement was made following the announcement that India and Pakistan will compete in the group stage of the Asia Cup on September 14 in the UAE. They will be in the same group.
It’s a sentiment that’s been talk of the town ever since the Pahalgam terror attack. And now, with political tensions still unresolved, Azharuddin’s blunt take has put the spotlight back on the BCCI’s long-standing position, one that separates ICC and ACC events from bilateral ties.
Azharuddin’s frustration is rooted in what he sees as selective engagement. “Everything should happen, or if it doesn’t, then nothing should happen at all,” he said, hinting at the inconsistency in India’s cricketing stance. The two sides haven’t played a bilateral series since 2012–13, and yet, they continue to square off in ICC and ACC tournaments, raking in record viewership every time.
The former captain also addressed India Champions’ recent withdrawal from a Legends League match against Pakistan Champions, stating that the veterans’ event was an unofficial competition. “That’s a private tournament — not under ICC or BCCI. The Asia Cup is governed by the ACC, so it’s a different matter,” he explained.
Asia Cup 2025: Format, Fixtures, and Hat-trick of India-Pakistan clashes
The Asia Cup 2025 will be played in T20 format from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, with eight teams split into two groups:
- Group A: India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman
- Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong
India and Pakistan are not only slated to meet in the group stage, but could clash again in the Super Four and potentially in the final, setting up the possibility of three India-Pakistan encounters in just three weeks.
