Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has reiterated his stance of boycotting the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 tournament and questioned why BCCI and the Indian team need to engage with Pakistan on the cricketing field. He also mentioned the Pulwama incident in 2019 and the inaction of the Pakistani government in reining in cross-border terrorism.
Tiwary is one of several supporters who have voiced their displeasure about India's matchup with Pakistan, which is set for September 14 in Dubai. In retaliation, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 to destroy the terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and beyond the Line of Control.
Tiwary, who has been vocal about his discontent with the India-Pak fixture, explained his decision to boycott the entire tournament.
"Look, first of all, I am boycotting the Asia Cup personally. I don't like to see it. And I don't know who the squad is. And I don't want to go into that much detail. As I mentioned earlier, I am personally boycotting it. I don't like to see it because of the kind of environment it has been in, and where people have died in attacks in Pahalgam, we have seen a lot before," Tiwary told ANI.
Tiwary also brought up the 2019 Pulwama terror assault, in which a suicide bomber crashed an IED-laden car into the security convoy transporting 40 brave CRPF personnel, killing them.
He even asked what India would gain from playing Pakistan in the competition. Tiwary thinks India should boycott the match against Pakistan and play in the other games to make a big statement.
"It happened in Pulwama as well. So when this happens, how can we enjoy the game? This is beyond my understanding. That's why I am boycotting it personally.
What is the benefit? You have to get TRP; you need revenue? If the ICC people cannot get rid of them, then you get rid of that game. In the other games, you do well. See what happens. This will be a statement from our country," he said.
"When we know that these terrorists are coming from our neighboring country, Pakistan. The government of Pakistan has never put in so much effort to end the terrorist organizations that are growing in its country. When we can see this, when we know that they are coming from there, then obviously, what is the point of playing with Pakistan? In my opinion, we should not play. Why? Because just a few months ago, the Pahalgam attack happened," Tiwary continued.
He further stated that India will be playing Pakistan, a country that was sending in terrorists, and there should be no engagement between the two sides.
"Before that, Pulwama happened. So, understand, the families who lost their members, in what mindset will they be? In what emotional state will they be? When a soldier sacrifices his life for his country, he doesn't do it; that's in the name of sportsmanship. We play against the country from which the terrorists are coming. This should not happen," he concluded.
In the World Championship of Legends (WCL), the Indian champions notably declined to play the Pakistani champions twice. The India Champions were set to face the Pakistan Champions in the semi-finals after the first match was canceled. Nevertheless, the team withdrew from the match and refused to play in the competition.
(ANI inputs)
