India's victory will be a befitting reply: BCCI secretary on Pakistan clash controversy

BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Secretary Devajit Saikia has wished team India all the best ahead of their fixture against Pakistan and said that their win will be a befitting reply to all the negative forces working against the country. India and Pakistan are set to lock horns on Sunday, April 14 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Ahead of the fixture, there’s massive backlash among fans against the BCCI for agreeing to play with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. Amid the criticism, Devajist Saikia has clarified the BCCI’s stance saying that they’re playing against the arch rivals as per the new sporting policy of the Indian government.

“For tomorrow's game BCCI wishes all the best to Indian cricket team. They will do their best to win the match so that so that it can be a befitting reply to all the incidents which we don't want to remember for long. India although have to play with a country with which we don't have good relationship. But still we have to play multinational tournament as per the policy of the government of India,” Saikia told India Today.

Furthermore, he also explained how the board has also made sure that their actions don’t go interest of the players.

“Therefore, we cannot refuse to play a multinational tournament which will be against the spirit of the game. We fully honor the spirit of the game and participate in any international or multinational tournament so that nothing takes place against the interests of our players and about our various sports disciplines,” he added.

There’s a possibility that India and Pakistan could lock horns three times in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. After their group stage fixture on September 14, they’re likely to face off again on September 21 in the Super 4 stages and can also take on each other in the final. Meanwhile, ahead of the first fixture between the two teams, the tickets are yet to be sold out for the high-voltage clash.