Mumbai: With just hours to go before the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025, social media has been flooded with calls to boycott the match. Several Indian cricket fans have questioned the decision to play against Pakistan, calling it unacceptable to face a “terror-funding nation” so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack that martyred Indian civilians.

One user wrote, “Are BCCI and Terrorism playing the match for money?” while another asked, “How can India play a cricket match against a nation responsible for killing innocent Indians just months ago?”

This match marks the first cricketing face-off between India and Pakistan since ‘Operation Sindoor,’ India’s retaliatory military action earlier this year. The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to urgently hear a petition seeking cancellation of the match, clearing the way for the game to proceed as scheduled.

The high-voltage fixture, set to take place in Dubai on September 14, is expected to be a massive commercial success, with broadcasters, FMCG brands, restaurants, and bars gearing up to cash in on the event.

Political leaders have also weighed in on the controversy, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Sanjay Raut and Aaditya Thackeray criticizing the BCCI and the central government for allowing the match. The party has announced a “Majha Kumkum Majha Desh” protest on the match day, but the call has seen limited political support.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia explained why India cannot refuse to play Pakistan in multi-nation tournaments. Speaking to NDTV, Saikia stated that skipping such matches could attract strict action from the ICC or ACC and impact future opportunities for young Indian players.

The Supreme Court echoed a similar sentiment when it declined to entertain the plea filed by Urvashi Jain, which argued that the match was against the national interest and detrimental to the morale of the armed forces.

Meanwhile, ticket sales for the blockbuster encounter have been strong despite initial reports of slow demand. According to a source from the Emirates Cricket Board, “The signs are very encouraging. On Wednesday night, we released 3,000 tickets online, and they sold out within minutes. It clearly shows that interest among fans is very strong.”

The India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match will begin at 8 PM IST on Sunday, September 14, at the Dubai International Stadium under heavy security.