Cricket | 'If you don't play bilateral, don't play tournaments either': Azharuddin on India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jul 27, 2025, 09:25 IST

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Mohammad Azharuddin has weighed in on the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, questioning the selective nature of their encounters. He suggests that if bilateral series remain off the table, the teams should also abstain from competing in international events.

Cricket | 'If you don't play bilateral, don't play tournaments either': Azharuddin on India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash

Azharuddin shares his thoughts on the India vs Pakistan fixture.

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has stirred the ongoing India-Pakistan cricket debate with a bold take on the upcoming Asia Cup clash between the two nations, questioning the inconsistency in cricketing ties between the neighbours.India and Pakistan are set to face off on September 14 as part of the Asia Cup 2025 under the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

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Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking on the contentious fixture, Azharuddin remarked, “I always say that everything should happen, or if it does not happen, then it should not happen at all. If you're not playing bilateral matches, then you shouldn't play international events too — that's what I believe.”

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His remarks come amid continuing political tensions that have stalled bilateral series between India and Pakistan for years, even as the teams continue to face off in ICC and ACC tournaments.Azhar also addressed the recent withdrawal of Indian veterans from their Legends League fixture against Pakistan in the privately organised World Championship of Legends (WCL).“This is a matter for the board and the government,” he said.“The veterans' league is not official, it's not sanctioned by the ICC or the BCCI. It’s conducted privately. But the Asia Cup is a tournament governed by the ACC,” he clarified, distancing the WCL from official cricketing diplomacy.

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