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'I'm against India vs Pakistan, PM Modi saying Operation Sindoor is on pause’: Ex-India cricketer slams Asia Cup 2025 fixture

'I'm against India vs Pakistan, PM Modi saying Operation Sindoor is on pause’: Ex-India cricketer slams Asia Cup 2025 fixture

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Jul 30, 2025, 10:43 IST

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Manoj Tiwary, former Indian cricketer, strongly opposes the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match, citing recent terror attacks and military operations. He believes playing Pakistan sends the wrong message amidst heightened tensions, referencing the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. While condemning terrorism, Sourav Ganguly offered a contrasting view, emphasizing that sport should continue.

'I'm against India vs Pakistan, PM Modi saying Operation Sindoor is on pause’: Ex-India cricketer slams Asia Cup 2025 fixture

India vs Pakistan (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/Getty Images)

Former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary has voiced strong opposition to the scheduled India vs Pakistan match in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, citing recent terror-related developments as the primary reason. The tournament, set to take place in the UAE from September 9 to 28, has already stirred political and public debate due to the high-voltage fixture scheduled for September 14.

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Speaking to ANI, Tiwary said, “I am against it. The India-Pakistan match should not be held, especially after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in which civilians have been killed. After that, Operation Sindoor has taken place.” Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!His comments come just a day after the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) confirmed the schedule and venue of the tournament. India are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. India will open their campaign against UAE on September 10 before facing Pakistan on September 14 and Oman on September 19. Tiwary further emphasised that hosting the India-Pakistan game at such a time sends the wrong message.

“The situation was so bad, how can we think of an India-Pakistan match? I feel it should be reconsidered,” he added.

Poll

Should the India vs Pakistan match in Asia Cup 2025 be reconsidered due to recent terror-related developments?

Yes, it should be reconsidered.No, it should proceed as planned.

His remarks echo the national mood following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warning to Pakistan in Parliament earlier this week. PM Modi stated that any misadventure by Pakistan would be met with a "befitting reply" and confirmed that Operation Sindoor is only on pause. Tiwary questioned the scheduling of a cricket match with Pakistan while military operations are underway. “Our Prime Minister is saying Operation Sindoor is still going on... How can we play a match with Pakistan?” he asked. Meanwhile, former captain Sourav Ganguly offered a more measured perspective, saying, “Sport must go on,” while also condemning terrorism and calling for stronger action against it.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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