The schedule for the upcoming Asia Cup, commencing September 9th, has sparked discussion, particularly regarding India’s decision to compete against Pakistan. The initial match is slated for September 14th, with a potential rematch in the Super Four round on September 21st. This has generated considerable debate, given the historical complexities of their sporting ties.
India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics is believed to be a key factor influencing its stance. Hosting the Olympics necessitates demonstrating openness and neutrality in international sports, adhering to the Olympic Charter’s Rule 44, which prohibits exclusion based on political, religious, or racial grounds. The Indian government, as stated by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, has expressed no objections to matches against Pakistan in multilateral tournaments, as evidenced by their recent approval of the Pakistan Hockey Team’s participation in the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey Tournament.
This rivalry will also extend to women’s cricket, with matches scheduled in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup and the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup. This follows the recent cancellation of a World Championship of Legends (WCL) match between the two nations, which has added further tension and scrutiny to their sporting relations, amplifying the debate surrounding the Asia Cup proposals.