Mohammad Azharuddin don't want India to face Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025, says 'don't think it should happen, but...'

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin believes that the Men in Blue would avoid playing against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025; however, he agrees that the final decision will be taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the government of India.

The BCCI is currently facing a lot of criticism because there were growing demands from fans to not have any sporting relations with Pakistan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. However, as the ACC announced the schedule for the Asia Cup, where arch-rivals India and Pakistan are placed in the same group and the tournament will take place in the UAE.

ALSO READ: Not only bowling, you'll always see him batting, fielding...': Sitanshu Kotak breaks silence on Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion in India's playing XI for 5th Test

"I don't think this should happen because we are playing against Pakistan in ICC and ACC tournaments only. But if you look at the situation, I don't think it should. But at the end of the day, the Government of India and the BCCI will decide, but I feel the situation is bad and I don't think we should play" Azharuddin told Aajtak.

ALSO READ: 'No conversation has been had about his inclusion...': Sitanshu Kotak's big revelation on concerns around Jasprit Bumrah's fitness ahead of Oval Test

Asia Cup 2025 is scheduled to start from September 9, where Afghanistan will take on Hong Kong for the opening clash of the tournament. Team India will take on UAE in their opener clash, and the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan will take place on September 14.

India and Pakistan are in the same group, which means both will potentially face each other three times, once in the league stage, next in the Super 4 round and then possibly in the final. The Asia Cup is a rehearsal for the ICC World Cup, so the tournament will take place in T20 format because of next year's Twenty20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.