Harbhajan Singh Slams BCCI for Allowing India-Pakistan Matches in Asia Cup Amid Tensions

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for agreeing to face Pakistan in the upcoming Men’s Asia Cup despite heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Calls for India to boycott Pakistan in all formats have grown in recent months, and many expected the team to withdraw from the eight-nation tournament. However, the released schedule shows the arch-rivals set to meet in Dubai on September 14, with possible clashes in the Super 4s and the final.

Speaking to Times of India, Harbhajan said cricket should take a back seat to national security concerns. “The soldier on the border who sacrifices his life for the nation — their sacrifice is immense. Compared to that, skipping one cricket match is a very small thing,” he said, invoking the government’s stance that “blood and water cannot flow together.”

Harbhajan stressed that “no one is bigger than the nation” and urged players to prioritise country over sport. He also called on Indian cricketers to stop shaking hands with Pakistani players and urged the media to stop amplifying Pakistani statements.

“Not playing a cricket match is nothing compared to the importance of the nation,” said the veteran of over 400 Test wickets. “The media shouldn’t be adding fuel to the fire by giving them unnecessary attention.”

India and Pakistan have not played bilateral cricket in years, but they continue to meet in multi-nation tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup.