India and Pakistan may face each other thrice in the upcoming Asia Cup.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) unveiled the schedule for the Asia Cup 2025 last week, confirming the league stage clash between India and Pakistan will take place on September 14.
Uncertainty over the India-Pakistan clash had mounted after the India Champions team, led by Yuvraj Singh, withdrew from their scheduled WCL match against Pakistan Champions at Edgbaston last week. As a result, the organisers had to cancel the match.
The decision was made in response to the heightened tensions between two countries following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
However, the BCCI has so far not commented on boycotting Pakistan in the Asia Cup after the announcement of the schedule.
Meanwhile, former India batter Manoj Tiwary has raised his voice against the scheduled match between India and Pakistan in the continental tournament.
"I am against it. The India-Pakistan match should not be held. Especially after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in which civilians have been killed. After that, Operation Sindoor has taken place," Tiwary said while speaking to ANI.
Eight countries will compete in the forthcoming Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format. India and Pakistan have been drawn in the same group alongside UAE and Oman, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong have been placed in the other group.
Tiwary believes the India-Pakistan match should not happen in current circumstances. "The situation was so bad, how can we think of an India-Pakistan match? I feel that it should be considered again and the India-Pakistan match should not happen in such an environment," he remarked.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday issued a stern warning to Pakistan from the Lok Sabha that if they dare to imagine doing anything against India, then they will be given a befitting reply, as Operation Sindoor is still underway.
Reacting to his remark, Tiwary said PM Modi is saying that the Operation Sindoor is still going on, then how can a match against Pakistan be scheduled.
"Our Prime Minister is saying that Operation Sindoor is still going on. How can we play a match with Pakistan?" Tiwary asked.
As far as the format of the Asia Cup 2025 is concerned, two teams from each group will make it to the Super Four stage. In the Super Fours, each team will face the other three once. Two teams from the Super Four stage will qualify for the final.
India and Pakistan can face each other three times in the upcoming Asia Cup, slated to get underway on September 9. After the group stage fixture on September 14, they can meet once again on September 22 if they qualify together for the Super Four stage while their showdown in the final on September 28 is also a possibility.
(With ANI Inputs)