The upcoming Asia Cup 2025 is all set to commence on September 9, 2025. The thing on which everyone's eye is at the moment is the India vs. Pakistan clash; this will be the first time both countries will be facing each other after the Pahalgam terror attack, where many innocent souls lost their lives. After this, any kind of activity with Pakistan is avoided, and recently India's decision to play against the neighboring country is being criticized.
As the tournament is approaching near, former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh stated that the Indian team should avoid playing against Pakistan, as it makes the lives of soldiers who lost their lives a waste.
He said,
"They need to understand what is important and what is not. This is as simple as that. For me, the soldier who stands on the border, whose family often doesn't get to see him, who sometimes sacrifices his life and never returns home—their sacrifice is so immense for all of us. Compared to that, this is a very small thing—that we can't skip playing one cricket match. It's a very small matter."
"Our government has the same stance: 'Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte (blood and sweat cannot co-exist). It cannot be the case that there's fighting on the border and tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter. The nation always comes first."
Harbhajan Singh also stated that there is nothing bigger than the nation, and everyone should respect that, including Indian players.
"Whatever our identity is, it's because of this country. Whether you are a player, an actor, or anyone else, no one is bigger than the nation. The country comes first, and the duties we owe to it must be fulfilled."
"Cricket match na khelna bahut maamuli si cheez hai desh ke saamne (not playing a cricket match is nothing compared to the importance of the nation)."
India and Pakistan will be facing each other in the tournament on September 14, and the final will be played on September 28.