Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has launched a fiery attack on the BCCI for allowing the India National Cricket Team to face Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. The former Cabinet Minister of Higher Education in Maharashtra has described the move as a betrayal of India’s sacrifices and an insult to the memories of those who lost their lives in terror attacks.
In his letter to the Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, Aaditya Thackeray has questioned how India could face Pakistan on the cricket field when the country has been time and again suffering from cross-border terrorism over the years.
Aaditya Thackeray slams BCCI, calls India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash a betrayal of martyrs
He reminded the Prime Minister of Narendra Modi’s statement from the Red Fort that “water and blood cannot flow together,” but the BCCI placed above national interest. The son of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Uddhav Thackeray, urged the Union Government to stop the BCCI from betraying the country and playing shamelessly against Pakistan.
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Aaditya Thackeray wrote in his letter, “Sadly enough, and shamelessly, the BCCI is sending a team to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Is the BCCI above national interest? Is it above the sacrifice of our Jawans? Is it above the Sindoor of those who faced the attack in Pahalgham?”
Aaditya Thackeray accuses BCCI of selling soldiers’ sacrifice for ‘Money and Ads’
Furthermore, the Maharashtra MLA has accused the BCCI of prioritizing money and ad revenue over the dignity of soldiers and the pain of victims’ families. Thackeray also said that it is a “truly shameful act” that the BCCI has decided to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 for selfish interest, despite Pakistan having backed out of playing hockey in India, citing security concerns.
The President of Yuva Sena also took a sarcastic dig at the government by questioning whether they will now send another delegation to justify BCCI’s move, referring to various politicians’ recent world tour to explain how Pakistan had been supporting terrorism and was behind the Pahalgam attack.
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How will we justify why India is playing cricket with Pakistan?
Thackeray concluded by saying, “We sent out delegations to the world, saying Pakistan is behind Pahalgham. Now will we send out delegations to the world to justify why we are playing cricket with them? I hope that, even though we may be on different sides of politics, we will be on the same page on this thought, to prevail, just like we supported our Hon’ble PM during Op Sindoor.”
Blood and Water cannot flow together, but for @BCCI blood and revenue can flow together.
I have written to Union Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya ji, asking for the Union Government’s intervention in BCCI shameful act of sending a team that will play cricket with pakistan.
The… pic.twitter.com/PysIuPtmJL
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) August 20, 2025
Pakistan eye third title as India aim to extend Asia Cup dominance
Notably, India and Pakistan are set to entertain the fans once again with their high-voltage clash in the Asia Cup 2025. The two arch-rivals will meet in the group stage on 14 September 2025 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Both India and Pakistan are part of Group A, which also includes Oman and the UAE. The BCCI is the host of the tournament that will be played in the T20 format.
India enters the Asia Cup 2025 as the defending champions and the most successful team, with eight titles already in the bag. On the other hand, Pakistan has so far won only two titles.
