Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on August 15 for prioritising financial gains over national sentiment by agreeing to play against Pakistan in the upcoming
Asia Cup, following the
Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent
Operation Sindoor.
The controversy stems from the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on May 7 to counter terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and within Pakistan.
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the 79th Independence Day, warning that India's Armed Forces would respond firmly to any enemy misadventures.
"It'll be a real shame if the @BCCI thinks it's above what the PM said from Red Fort today. After so many efforts of the Union Government and our country to tell the world that pak is behind the Pahalgham [sic] attacks, the greed for money of the BCCI stands above the sacrifice of the Armed Forces, the Nation and even the PM saying blood and water cannot flow together. With all the might that BCCI has in the ICC, it's a joke to say we are bound by the Asia Cup Rules," Thackeray posted on X.
Aaditya Thackeray's social media post on India playing Pakistan in the Asia Cup. (Image: X)
India and Pakistan are scheduled to compete in Group A of the Asia Cup, alongside UAE and Oman. Despite India being the official tournament host, matches involving Pakistan will be played at neutral venues for three years, as per an agreement between BCCI and PCB.
India's tournament opener is against UAE on September 10, followed by the match against Pakistan on September 14.
The tournament format allows for up to three potential India-Pakistan encounters. Beyond the group stage match, the teams could meet again in the Super 4 stage and potentially in the final.
The India Champions recently demonstrated their stance by refusing to play against Pakistan Champions twice in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). They first withdrew from an initial contest and later pulled out of a semi-final fixture against Pakistan Champions.
India had previously declined to participate in the Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. Instead, they played their matches at a neutral venue in Dubai, ultimately securing the championship with a victory over New Zealand in the final.
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