New Delhi: Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has launched a strong attack on the BCCI’s decision to go ahead with the India vs Pakistan fixture in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, reiterating his call to boycott cricketing ties with the neighbouring nation.
His remarks come just weeks after Indian legends including Shikhar Dhawan, Yuvraj Singh, and Irfan Pathan refused to play against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, leading to two abandoned matches. The controversy has reignited with the Asia Cup schedule placing India and Pakistan in the same group, with their encounter set for September 14 in Dubai.
Speaking to The Times of India, Harbhajan said cricket should take a backseat as long as border tensions remain unresolved.
“Our soldiers stand on the border, often unable to meet their families, sometimes sacrificing their lives and never returning home. Compared to their immense sacrifice, skipping one cricket match is nothing,” Harbhajan said.
Quoting the government’s stance — “Khoon aur paani ek saath nahi beh sakte” (blood and water cannot flow together) — the 103-Test veteran stressed that national interest outweighs sporting events.
“It cannot be that there’s fighting on the border, tensions between the nations, and we go play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter. The nation always comes first,” he asserted.
Harbhajan, who has over 400 Test wickets, further said no individual — be it a sportsperson or an actor — is bigger than the country.
“Whatever our identity is, it’s because of this nation. Not playing a cricket match is a very small thing compared to the importance of the country,” he added.
The former cricketer also urged Indian media to avoid giving space to Pakistan’s narratives.
“Cricketers shouldn’t be shaking hands with Pakistan players, and our media shouldn’t be broadcasting their statements or reactions. Let them say what they want in their country; we shouldn’t highlight them,” he said.
With the high-voltage fixture just a month away, Harbhajan’s remarks have added fresh fuel to the already heated debate over whether India should continue sporting ties with Pakistan amid political and security tensions.
