There has been alot of criticism over India playing against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, the match will be held on September 14 on Dubai. Ahead of the clash, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has defended the decision and stressed that the board has taken decisions in coordination with the government policy.
“So far as the BCCI’s view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalises,” Saikia told ANI. “Recently, our policy, which is in place, regarding India’s participation in any multinational tournament or international tournament, there is no restriction imposed by the central government on whether we play any of the countries which are not on good terms with India.”
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Saikia addressed the criticism that has come with the decision and explained that India’s stance on international sporting events is shaped by the directives given by central government. In the revised guidelines which was released, Indian players and teams are allowed to play against Pakistan in multilateral events but no bilateral events will take place.
As the ICC Cup is a multinational tournament involving the countries of the Asia continent, so we have to play. And also, for any ICC tournament, when there is a country which is not on friendly terms with India, we have to play in the international tournaments,” he said.
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Bilateral contests, however, remain off the table. “So far as bilateral is concerned, we are not going to play with any of our hostile countries,” Saikia said
“So we are following the policy framed by the government of India, the Youth and Sports Development Department,” he said. “And for that, BCCI will have to do it. And we are very happy to follow the policy. That policy is very nicely done, taking into consideration not only cricket, but also other games.”
