New Delhi, July 27, 2025: Former Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin has questioned the country’s inconsistent approach toward cricketing ties with Pakistan, calling for a clear and unified policy. His remarks come just weeks ahead of the high-stakes India-Pakistan clash in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, scheduled for September 14 in the UAE.
“If you’re not playing bilateral matches, then you shouldn’t play in multilateral tournaments either — that’s what I believe,” Azharuddin said, highlighting the contradiction in India refusing bilateral ties with Pakistan while continuing to face them in ICC and ACC events.
The two sides have not played a bilateral series since December 2012, when Pakistan toured India for a short limited-overs series. Since then, the rivalry has been confined to global and regional tournaments. Their last encounter was during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, where India clinched a six-wicket victory.
In the Asia Cup 2025, India and Pakistan are set to face off in the group stage, with the potential to meet up to three times depending on tournament outcomes.
Azharuddin’s comments also follow controversy surrounding the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, a private veterans’ league, where a group-stage match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions, scheduled for July 20 at Edgbaston, was called off.
The WCL confirmed the cancellation through official channels, amid reports that several Indian players — including Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, and Shikhar Dhawan — had objected to playing against Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Afridi, reportedly setting conditions that led to the match being scrapped.
Azharuddin, now 62, drew a distinction between official and unofficial tournaments: “This is a matter for the board and the government. 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 Asian Cricket Council.”
His remarks come as calls grow louder from within India’s media and political circles to boycott matches against Pakistan, a stance the former captain suggests lacks consistency and clarity.
