'Sport Must Go On': Sourav Ganguly Breaks Silence On Team India Facing Pakistan In Asia Cup 2025 After Cross-Border Tensions; Video

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has issued his verdict on the contentious India-Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025. With controversy simmering among fans over BCCI agreeing to play Pakistan in the multi-nation tournament following the cross-border terrorism, Ganguly stressed that sport must go on but underlined the need to stop terrorism.

BCCI Faces Massive Backlash Online Over India-Pakistan Asia Cup Clash After Pahalgam Terror Attack

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) had issued the schedule for Asia Cup 2025, with India and Pakistan set to lock horns on September 14, Sunday. However, fans have been enraged over India playing Pakistan over the terror attack in Pahalgam in April, with Pakistan allegedly responsible for it. Border tensions also occurred for three days before ceasefire.

Speaking to ANI, Ganguly said when asked about the India vs Pakistan match:

"I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped. India took a strong stance towards terrorism, should make ensure it doesn't happen again but that's past. Sport needs to be played."

#WATCH | Kolkata: On India-Pakistan placed in the same group in the Asia Cup, former Indian cricketer Saurav Ganguly says, "I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped.… pic.twitter.com/Qrs17KOKrN

— ANI (@ANI) July 27, 2025

Depending upon the match outcomes, India and Pakistan could play each other thrice in the tournament. Notably, a handful of Indian players had pulled out of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 game against Pakistan.

Team India are the defending champions ahead of Asia Cup 2025

India, meanwhile, are the defending champions ahead of Asia Cup 2025. They had won the 50-over edition in 2023 by defeating Sri Lanka in the final by ten wickets.

The BCCI had also notably refused to send the men's team to Pakistan for the 2023 edition, with Sri Lanka hosting their games. All the teams are slated to arrive on September 7 and it remains to be seen if warm-up games will be scheduled.

With the T20 World Cup set to be played in 2026, Asia Cup 2025 will take place in the T20 format.