Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 20 (ANI): Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for scheduling a match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Cricket 2025, calling it a “shameful act” and urging the Union Government to intervene. He wrote to Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighting his concerns.
In a post on X, Thackeray shared his letter, stating, “Blood and Water cannot flow together, but for BCCI, blood and revenue can flow together. I have written to Union Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya ji, asking for the Union Government’s intervention in BCCI’s shameful act of sending a team to play cricket with Pakistan.”
He further questioned the board’s decision, pointing out recent terrorist attacks linked to Pakistan and India’s diplomatic efforts to isolate the country. Thackeray noted, “Recently, the Hon’ble Prime Minister also said that water and blood cannot flow together from the ramparts of the Red Fort. Yet, sadly enough, and shamelessly, the BCCI is sending a team to play Pakistan in the Asia Cup. Is the BCCI above national interest? Is it above the sacrifice of our Jawans?”
Thackeray accused the BCCI of prioritising revenue over national security and morality, stating that despite terrorism affecting both nations, the board insists on including Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. He also highlighted Pakistan’s withdrawal from the Hockey Asia Cup in India, questioning why cricket matches with Pakistan were still being permitted.
India’s Asia Cup campaign begins against the UAE on September 10. The high-profile clash against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, followed by a final group-stage fixture against Oman on September 19 in Abu Dhabi. (ANI)
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