Bhutia Defends Asia Cup Match Against Pakistan, Cites Olympic Ambitions
Team India won the match against Pakistan on September 14th. After the victory, the Indian players did not shake hands with the Pakistani players. Suryakumar Yadav also did not shake hands with the Pakistani captain during the toss.
Former Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia has broken his silence regarding the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025. He said that the country is considering hosting the Olympics. "We cannot refuse to play against Pakistan. It will hurt hosting the Olympics."
Baichung Bhutia said, "Whatever happened regarding the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup should not have happened. Politics should not be allowed into sports at all. If the Indian team refuses to play against Pakistan at a neutral venue, India will suffer losses in the future."
He said that India wants to host the Olympics. "If you host the Olympics, you have to allow Pakistan to come." This is likely why the Indian government allowed the Indian cricket team to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. If the Indian government wishes, it can ban the broadcast of the match. Many Pakistani actors and singers have been banned in the country. Similarly, the broadcast of the India-Pakistan match can also be banned, but the match must take place.
On April 22, 2025, 26 people were killed in an attack by Pakistani terrorists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In response, the Indian Army launched 'Operation Sindoor'. In retaliation, the Indian Army destroyed terrorist hideouts in PoK and Pakistan. There was also a clash between the armies of the two countries. Following this incident, questions were raised about the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup. The Indian government, citing the Asia Cup as a multinational tournament, granted the BCCI permission to send the Indian cricket team to the UAE. However, there was widespread opposition to this match in the country.
Team India won the match against Pakistan on September 14. After the victory, the Indian players did not shake hands with the Pakistani players. Suryakumar Yadav also refused to shake hands with the Pakistani captain at the toss. The "no handshakes" became a major controversy after the match. The two teams will face each other again on Sunday (September 21) in the Super Four.
