India and Pakistan to clash in Asia Cup; Centre gives nod

NEW DELHI: Confirmation has come through that India and Pakistan will meet in the Asia Cup next month in the UAE. The Union Sports Ministry has granted approval, confirming that India has no restrictions on facing Pakistan in multilateral tournaments. However, the ministry clarified that its earlier stand against bilateral cricket series with Pakistan remains unchanged.

Following the Pahalgam attack, some organisations had demanded that India should not play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Recently, India had also withdrawn from a Master's Cricket match against Pakistan.

The India–Pakistan Asia Cup match is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai. Both teams are placed in the same group along with the UAE and Oman.

India and Pakistan are expected to advance to the next round from their group, raising the chances of another face-off later in the tournament, possibly even in the final. Earlier, during the World Legends tournament held in England, India had refused to play against Pakistan, which led to Pakistan advancing to the final.