Asia Cup: 'Nothing less than shameless' - Samajwadi Party calls to boycott India-Pakistan match

With less than a month to go for the Asia Cup 2025, political debate has intensified over India’s scheduled fixture against Pakistan in Dubai on September 14. The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday sharply criticised the government, questioning the need for sporting ties amid strained relations. SP’s Maharashtra unit chief Abu Asim Azmi said that holding the high-profile match was a “suspicious” move. “People demanded action, but instead, a ceasefire was announced. Now, when a cricket match is being organised, it feels suspicious. The people of India will not tolerate this. The government must give a clarification,” he told IANS. While stating he personally favoured peace, Azmi insisted that Pakistan’s actions made sporting engagements unacceptable. “I want friendship with Pakistan, but how can we play cricket with a country that keeps attacking us? Such matches should be completely boycotted,” he added. Similar sentiments were echoed by SP leader S.T. Hasan, who referred to the Pahalgam attack earlier this year. “We do not support playing a match with Pakistan. The wounds from the recent Pahalgam terror attack are still fresh. How can we sit and cheer for a cricket match against those responsible? Matches are meant for friends, not enemies. To play against Pakistan is nothing less than shameless,” he said. Hasan went further, stressing that trust could only be built once terrorsm ceased. “We taught Pakistan a good lesson then, so why should we now shake hands with them on a cricket field? If Pakistan really wants to build trust, it must guarantee an end to terrorsm. Only then should cricket or any sporting ties resume,” he remarked. He added, “Right now, the atmosphere is not right. If India goes ahead and plays Pakistan, it will be a disgrace for our nation in front of the entire world.” The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, meanwhile, recently reaffirmed its stance that India will not play bilateral cricket with Pakistan but will participate in multilateral tournaments where Pakistan is involved. This has cleared the path for the two teams’ Asia Cup clash, their first meeting since the Pahalgam attack escalated tensions.