Amidst calls for boycott of India-Pakistan T20 Asia Cup 2025 match, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia hopes that the Suryakumar Yadav-led side gives a befitting reply to the neighbours. Saikia addressed the question asked by many — why India are playing Pakistan just months after the Pahalgam terrorist attack which led to Operation Sindoor and military conflict on the border? Saikia said that India cannot skip a multinational tournament because it will be ‘against the spirit of the game’.
“For tomorrow's game BCCI wishes all the best to Indian cricket team. They will do their best to win the match so that so that it can be a befitting reply to all the incidents which we don't want to remember for long. India although have to play with a country with which we don't have good relationship. But still we have to play multinational tournament as per the policy of the government of India,” Saikia told India Today.
“Therefore, we cannot refuse to play a multinational tournament which will be against the spirit of the game. We fully honor the spirit of the game and participate in any international or multinational tournament so that nothing takes place against the interests of our players and about our various sports disciplines,” he added.
However, India will continue not having any bilateral series against Pakistan across sports.
Gambhir’s message to players revealed
On the eve of the high voltage clash in Dubai, India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said that the players and coach Gautam Gambhir are well aware of the public sentiment. He revealed that Gambhir has asked players to approach it in a professional manner.
"We obviously are aware of the sentiments and the strong feelings. And Gauti's (Gambhir's nickname) message has just been very professional, about not worrying about things that are not in our control," Ten Doeschate revealed in the pre-match press conference.
"I have no doubt the players share the compassion and feeling of the vast majority of the Indian public. The Asia Cup was in limbo for a long period of time and we were just waiting," the former Netherlands all-rounder added.
India-Pakistan head-to-head record in T20 Asia Cup
India and Pakistan have locked horns three times in the T20 Asia Cup history. India have won two out of three games.