Ex-Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin gave his opinion on India’s stance to play against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025. The much-awaited contest is scheduled to be played on September 14, as the event will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28.
Azharuddin Questions India’s Decision
Azharuddin lambasted India’s decision to confront Pakistan in a multilateral environment, criticising the rationale for not playing them in bilateral series and yet participating in them in events such as the Asia Cup.
“I always say that everything should happen, or if it does not happen, then it should not happen at all. If you’re not playing bilateral matches, then you shouldn’t play international events too, that’s what I believe. But whatever the government and the board decide will happen…”.
India Champions Refused WCL Match With Pakistan
His comments were made days after the India Champions, under captain Yuvraj Singh, refused to face the Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) in Birmingham. The match was later cancelled by the organizers due to increasing political tensions between the two countries following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Azhar Adds Context As To Why India Decided To Play Against Pakistan
Azharuddin made a distinction between the two tournaments, pointing out that the WCL is neither an ICC nor a BCCI-approved tournament, while the Asia Cup comes under the purview of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). “The veterans’ league is not official, it’s not sanctioned by the ICC or the BCCI, it’s conducted privately but the Asia Cup is a tournament governed by the ACC,”
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ACC Confirms Format and Groups for Asia Cup 2025
ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi put an end to months of speculation by releasing the complete schedule of the 17th Asia Cup. The tournament will be staged in the T20 format as part of preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup. This season will also witness eight teams, for the first in the history of the Asia Cup.
Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Oman, and host UAE, while Group B comprises Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong.
