Asia Cup: ‘Nothing less than shameless’ – Samajwadi Party calls to boycott India-Pakistan match | Cricket News

With less than a month to go for the Asia Cup 2025, political debate has intensified over India’s scheduled fixture towards Pakistan in Dubai on September 14. The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday sharply criticised the federal government, questioning the necessity for sporting ties amid strained relations. SP’s Maharashtra unit chief Abu Asim Azmi stated that holding the excessive-profile match was a “suspicious” transfer. “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 informed 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 had been echoed by SP chief S.T. Hasan, who referred to the Pahalgam assault earlier this 12 months. “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 stated.

Hasan went additional, stressing that belief might solely be constructed as soon as 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, in the meantime, lately reaffirmed its stance that India won’t play bilateral cricket with Pakistan however will take part in multilateral tournaments the place Pakistan is concerned. This has cleared the trail for the 2 groups’ Asia Cup conflict, their first assembly because the Pahalgam assault escalated tensions.