Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray criticised the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) on August 15 for prioritising monetary positive factors over nationwide sentiment by agreeing to play in opposition to Pakistan within the upcoming Asia Cup, following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.The controversy stems from the April 22 terror assault in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the place 26 vacationers had been killed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. India retaliated with Operation Sindoor on Could 7 to counter terror infrastructure throughout the Line of Management and inside Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the 79th Independence Day, warning that India’s Armed Forces would reply firmly to any enemy misadventures.“It’s going to be an actual disgrace if the @BCCI thinks it is above what the PM mentioned from Pink Fort at present. After so many efforts of the Union Authorities and our nation to inform the world that pak is behind the Pahalgham [sic] assaults, the greed for cash of the BCCI stands above the sacrifice of the Armed Forces, the Nation and even the PM saying blood and water can not move collectively. With all of the would possibly that BCCI has within the ICC, it is a joke to say we’re sure by the Asia Cup Guidelines,” Thackeray posted on X.

Aaditya Thackeray’s social media publish on India taking part in Pakistan within the Asia Cup. (Picture: X)

India and Pakistan are scheduled to compete in Group A of the Asia Cup, alongside UAE and Oman. Regardless of India being the official match host, matches involving Pakistan shall be performed at impartial venues for 3 years, as per an settlement between BCCI and PCB.India’s match opener is in opposition to UAE on September 10, adopted by the match in opposition to Pakistan on September 14.The match format permits for as much as three potential India-Pakistan encounters. Past the group stage match, the groups might meet once more within the Tremendous 4 stage and doubtlessly within the closing.The India Champions lately demonstrated their stance by refusing to play in opposition to Pakistan Champions twice within the World Championship of Legends (WCL). They first withdrew from an preliminary contest and later pulled out of a semi-final fixture in opposition to Pakistan Champions.India had beforehand declined to take part within the Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan. As a substitute, they performed their matches at a impartial venue in Dubai, finally securing the championship with a victory over New Zealand within the closing.