The match between India and Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup to be held in Dubai on 14 September has got the green signal from the Government of India. The Sports Ministry on Thursday issued a new policy on India’s international programs, emphasizing Pakistan, which confirms that the Center will not prevent the Indian Cricket Control Board of participating in the match with Pakistan, but bilateral cricket relations will still be broken.
Also read this: Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Indian women’s hockey team announced for Asia Cup, Salima Tete will captain
The Government of India is adamant on its policy of not attending bilateral sports events with Pakistan. The Sports Ministry said on August 21 that Indian teams would not go to Pakistan nor would host Pakistani teams in any bilateral series. However, this ban does not apply to multilateral tournaments such as the World Cup and the Olympics, where the two countries participate in the jurisdiction of international governing bodies. These tournaments are held at neutral or third-party sites, ensuring that there is no direct bilateral arrangements and maintains a politically neutral environment for competition.
A source in the ministry confirmed that India would not be prevented from playing against Pakistan in the Asia Cup organized by the Asian Cricket Council. The Asia Cup will have a high-profile matches between India and Pakistan on 14 and possibly on 21 September, which will be finalized on 29 September. The tournament will be played in the T20 International format before next year’s T20 World Cup. The Ministry has further clarified India’s new policy towards international sports events.
Also read this: Asia Cup 2025: Former Pakistani cricketer’s statement about Ind vs Pak match will be a joke on 14 September
The ministry said that India’s attitude towards sports events related to Pakistan reflects its overall policy in practice with that country. With respect to bilateral sports events held in each other’s countries, Indian teams will not participate in competitions in Pakistan, nor will Pakistani teams be allowed to play in India. However, in relation to international and multilateral events, whether they are held in India or abroad, India is directed by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests of their players. It is also relevant to consider the emergence of India as a reliable place to host international sports events.
“In so far as bilateral sports events in each other’s country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India”: Ministry of Youth and Affairs, Govt of India pic.twitter.com/s1P0b1AbTT
– years (@ani) August 21, 2025