"The sport must go on..."- Sourav Ganguly takes U-turn, backs India vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025 after raising calls to boycott it earlier

Sourav Ganguly said that terrorism must not happen but sport needs to be played.

Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly reacted to the India playing Pakistan in the forthcoming Asia Cup 2025. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Saturday (26th July) announced the full schedule of the tournament

India and Pakistan are part of the same group in the tournament. They will face each other on September 14. Moreover, they are also highly likely to clash once again in the Super Four stage and also in the final, if they qualify.

Many cricket fans slammed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for participating in the tournament and facing Pakistan. Notably, since the Pahalgam terror attack in April, there has been continuous public demand to end cricketing ties with Pakistan.

Sourav Ganguly reacts to India vs Pakistan clash in Asia Cup 2025

However, amid all this, former BCCI President Ganguly is in favour of India facing Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025. While speaking to ANI, Ganguly said that the sport must go on. However, he also added that terrorism needs to be stopped.

“I am okay. The sport must go on. At the same time Pahalgam should not happen, but the sport must go on. Terrorism must not happen; it needs to be stopped. India took a strong stance towards terrorism… Sport needs to be played,” he said.

Notably, after the Pahalgam terror attack, Ganguly had urged India to shut all cricketing ties with Pakistan and even stop facing them in ICC tournaments. Recently, the India Champions’ match against Pakistan Champions in World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 was called off due to backlash from fans.

Meanwhile, Asia Cup 2025 will commence on September 9. The tournament will be played in the UAE. Eight teams are part of the tournament. India are part of Group A with Pakistan, UAE, and Oman in their pool.

The final will be played on September 28. India are the defending champions of the tournament. They will play their first match against UAE on September 10.

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