The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan at the 2025 Asia Cup, scheduled for September 14, remains in uncertainty as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to confirm participation, amid intense public sentiment following the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) announced the full schedule for the continental tournament last week, including India vs Pakistan in Group A. The two arch-rivals could face off again in the Super Fours and potentially in the final—raising expectations for up to three high-stakes encounters. However, backlash erupted on social media shortly after the announcement, with calls for India to withdraw in protest against cross-border terrorism.

The outrage is rooted in the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, followed by the Indian Army’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor. In the aftermath, the BCCI reportedly paused its Asia Cup confirmation and sought direction from the Indian government.

While the ACC, chaired by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi, has included India in the official schedule, the Indian sports ministry has clarified that the final decision lies solely with the BCCI. “As of now, the BCCI does not come under the purview of the sports ministry as the National Sports Governance Bill is still to be passed. So, the ministry doesn’t have a say, but we will wait and see how the BCCI responds to public sentiment,” a ministry source told PTI.

According to an NDTV report, if India chooses to forfeit the match against Pakistan, it would be considered a walkover, and Pakistan would be awarded points as per tournament rules. This scenario could severely impact India’s prospects in the Asia Cup, which is being viewed as a key preparatory event for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled early next year.

“This is not a bilateral contest but a match in a multi-nation tournament. If India does not play or forfeits the match, it will give Pakistan a huge advantage,” a source was quoted as saying, suggesting that skipping the fixture could backfire competitively.

Notably, India’s squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be led by Suryakumar Yadav, marking his debut as captain in a major ODI tournament. A forfeit could derail the team’s rhythm and affect their chances of making the final.

Earlier this month, a similar situation unfolded during the World Championship of Legends in Birmingham, where the Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions team declined to play against Pakistan. The match was eventually cancelled, and organisers issued a formal apology to Indian players.

As of now, all eyes are on the BCCI, whose decision will not only impact the tournament’s future but also set a precedent on how cricket boards respond to geopolitical tensions in a multilateral sports setting.