Veteran cricketer Amit Mishra, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of the game, feels that whatever decision is taken regarding the clash against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025 will be in the interest of the country. Ever since the India-Pakistan clash was announced to take place on September 14 in the continental tournament, there has been quite a lot of outrage with many fans even calling for the match to be boycotted.
This is a result of the Pahalgam terrorist attack which took place earlier this year in April and saw 26 tourists lose their lives. India responded to this by launching Operation Sindoor on May 7 in order to avenge the attack that took place in Jammu & Kashmir.
With political relations between the two countries deteriorating to a new low, India Champions refused to play against the Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The Indian team were supposed to clash against their arch-rivals during the semi-finals of the tournament, but refused to do so. This saw the Pakistan Champions automatically move to the final, however South Africa Champions would eventually be the victors of the penultimate match of the competition.
While multiple former India cricketers have shared that they shouldn't be playing against Pakistan in Asia Cup, Mishra has a comparatively lighter take on the matter.
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"Look, when we are playing cricket for India, our countrymen are connected to us as their emotions are connected to us. Even the India legends said that they won't play. Then Pakistan reached the finals and lost the title. Every cricketer is connected to their county. They are connected to their fans. Just like everyone loves their country, we also love our country, and whatever decision will be taken, it will be in the interest of the country," Mishra said while speaking to ANI.
India's schedule for Asia Cup
India and Pakistan are both present in the same group for the continental tournament and thus, it was inevitable for them to clash against each other. This will be the Men in Blue's second match of the group stage as their first opponent of the competition will be UAE and the match between them will take place on September 10. Suryakumar Yadav & Co's group stage will come to a conclusion with bthe game against Oman on September 19.