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The hashtag #BoycottAsiaCup is trending on X (formerly Twitter) as Indian cricket fans and social media users express outrage over India’s scheduled match against Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup. The tournament is set to take place from September 9 to 28 in the UAE, with India and Pakistan placed in the same group and likely to face each other up to a possible three times during the event.
The backlash boosted following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, which claimed 26 civilian lives, and India’s subsequent military response, Operation Sindoor. Many Indian fans see the decision to play Pakistan as insensitive and accuse the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of prioritising commercial attractions over national sentiment. This has led to calls for the BCCI to boycott the Asia Cup to uphold a stance against Pakistan's involvement amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Enough of this nonsense. #BoycottAsiaCup https://t.co/onAFIGwMju
— Aditya Saha (@Adityakrsaha) July 26, 2025
Criticism has also targeted Indian players and officials for inconsistency, such as their boycott of a recent World Championship of Legends match against Pakistan, but their willingness to play in the Asia Cup. The controversy reflects the wider debate about whether sports should remain separate from political issues between the two nations.
If Terror and Talks Can’t go Together then Terror and Cricket can’t go together. #BoycottAsiaCup #BoycottBCCI pic.twitter.com/sbPzjXOHMH
— BRADDY (@braddy_Codie05) July 26, 2025
Asia Cup 2025 full schedule
| Date | Match Details | Competition | Venue | Time (GMT) | Local Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 09 (Tue) | Afghanistan vs Hong Kong, 1st Match, Group B | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 10 (Wed) | India vs United Arab Emirates, 2nd Match, Group A | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 11 (Thu) | Bangladesh vs Hong Kong, 3rd Match, Group B | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 00:00 | 05:30 AM |
| Sep 12 (Fri) | Pakistan vs Oman, 4th Match, Group A | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 13 (Sat) | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, 5th Match, Group B | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 14 (Sun) | India vs Pakistan, 6th Match, Group A | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 15 (Mon) | UAE vs Oman, 7th Match, Group A | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 15 (Mon) | Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong, 8th Match, Group B | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 16 (Tue) | Bangladesh vs Afghanistan, 9th Match, Group B | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 17 (Wed) | Pakistan vs UAE, 10th Match, Group A | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 18 (Thu) | Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 11th Match, Group B | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 19 (Fri) | India vs Oman, 12th Match, Group A | AFC Cup Qualifiers | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 20 (Sat) | TBC vs TBC, Super Four, Match 1 (B1 v B2) | Super Four | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 21 (Sun) | TBC vs TBC, Super Four, Match 2 (A1 v A2) | Super Four | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 23 (Tue) | TBC vs TBC, Super Four, Match 3 (A2 v B1) | Super Four | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 24 (Wed) | TBC vs TBC, Super Four, Match 4 (A1 v B2) | Super Four | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 25 (Thu) | TBC vs TBC, Super Four, Match 5 (A2 v B2) | Super Four | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 26 (Fri) | TBC vs TBC, Super Four, Match 6 (A1 v B1) | Super Four | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |
| Sep 28 (Sun) | TBC vs TBC, Final | Final | TBC | 14:00 | 07:30 PM |