Silent Boycott? No Top BCCI Officials in Dubai Ahead of IND vs PAK

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may quietly stay away from the much-awaited India vs Pakistan match at the Asia Cup 2025. The game is set for September 14 in Dubai, but in recent days, many fans, media outlets, and former players have urged for a boycott of the clash between the two rivals.

Earlier, the BCCI had said the match would go ahead as it had the green light from the Central government. However, new reports suggest that the board might now choose not to take part in the game.

According to a report in Dainik Jagran, no top BCCI officials have reached Dubai before the India–Pakistan match, raising strong chances that the board may “silently” boycott the game. The officials are said to be keeping their distance because of the public anger over the contest in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

BCCI Sticks to Government Stand, No Bilateral Ties with Pakistan

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia will not be present as he is busy preparing for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. IPL chairman Arun Dhumal has also chosen not to watch the match. The only senior BCCI representative who might attend is acting president Rajiv Shukla, who is part of the Asian Cricket Council. Meanwhile, ICC chairman Jay Shah is in the USA for meetings and will also not be in Dubai for the clash.

“So far as the BCCI’s view is concerned, we have to follow whatever the central government formalises. Recently, our policy regarding India’s participation in any multinational or international tournament clearly states that there are no restrictions imposed by the central government on playing against countries not on friendly terms with India. So, India has to play all matches in any multinational tournament,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told news agency ANI.

The BCCI made it clear that it would follow the Government of India’s position. The BCCI in the past refused to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, forcing the ICC to hold the tournament in a hybrid model. India played Pakistan and other matches in the UAE. The Indian board also made it clear that there would be no bilateral cricket between the two nations.

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