Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made it clear that they will no longer plead with India for the resumption of bilateral cricket ties. In a strong statement made in Lahore just days before the Asia Cup 2025, Naqvi stressed that any talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will only happen on equal terms.
The Asia Cup 2025 has once again set the stage for an India-Pakistan clash, scheduled for September 14. The match has drawn huge attention but for the wrong reasons.
Calls for boycotting the match and the entire tournament have surfaced after the terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year and the subsequent cross-border conflict. However, the game is set to go ahead at a neutral venue.
Also read: Asia Cup 2025: “Hope Players And Fans Remain Disciplined” - Wasim Akram Ahead Of IND-PAK Match
BCCI Unmoved as PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Declares End to ‘Begging Era’
India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13. Despite several attempts by the PCB to restart tours, the BCCI, backed by the Indian government, has consistently refused. The only time the two sides meet is in multi-nation tournaments like the World Cup, Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy.
In a recent statement, Naqvi made it clear that Pakistan would not push any further for a resumption of bilateral ties and that any talks in future must happen on equal terms.
"I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations. That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality," Naqvi said as quoted in a press conference in Lahore.
Indian Sports Ministry Confirms No Bilateral Series with Pakistan, Gives Clearance to Asia Cup Clash
On August 21, the Sports Ministry once again confirmed that there will be no bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan in the foreseeable future. The ministry clarified that Indian teams will neither travel to Pakistan nor host Pakistani teams for any bilateral engagement.
A ministry source explained that while India and Pakistan will not play in any bilateral sporting events, the Indian cricket team is free to compete in multilateral tournaments where both nations are participants. This includes competitions like the Asia Cup, ICC World Cups and the Olympics.
Also read: Asia Cup 2025: “Not In My Hands” - Shardul Thakur Responds To Shreyas Iyer’s Snub
