The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) drew fire from Indian supporters for posting updates about the Asia Cup 2025 match versus Pakistan on social media platform X. Geopolitical tensions between the two nations have contributed to the attention this year’s India-Pakistan match, in addition to cricket-related factors.
A terror incident in Pahalgam earlier this year, which Pakistan supported, sparked the controversy. India responded by launching Operation Sindoor, targeting insurgent bases along the border. Many supporters had anticipated that the Indian cricket administration would deny participation in the Asia Cup match against Pakistan in light of these developments.
The Indian government suspended bilateral series but allowed the Men in Blue to compete in international competitions, despite popular opinion. However, a sizable portion of cricket fans expressed their displeasure. On X, social media users sharply criticized the BCCI for marketing the game and called for a boycott of the India-Pakistan match.
An update on the BCCI official feed which was covering the matches live resulted in a lot of online anger and harassment within this volatile setup. This disappointed the fans, who added that the cricket board should have known better given the tensions in the recent times.
The game is currently being held in the Dubai international stadium. The captain Salman Ali Agha was the winner of the toss who decided to bat first. Both India and Pakistan used the same starting lineup, which had secured their respective opening games in the Asia Cup 2025. The refusal of Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav to shake hands with Agha during the toss which has gained a lot of coverage on social media has contributed to the tension.
With such geopolitical and sports interests, this India-Pakistan match has become very popular and is turning out to be one of the most controversial and most viewed Asia Cup 2025 matches.
Here’s how fans on X reacted to BCCI covering the India-Pakistan Asia Cup Clash:
Love cricket, always will. But this #IndVsPak match feels wrong.
.@BCCI made it clear—when it came to choosing between Nation and Revenue, they chose ‘Revenue’
— Gaurav Taneja (@flyingbeast320) September 13, 2025Anyone tweeting about #INDvsPAK match, scores, commentary must be boycotted / unfollowed.
This is the time we the public should shows unity against capitalist mentality of #bccideshdrohi #government
Hamne hi star banaya hai aur ham zameen par bhi la sakre hai.
— RJ – Rishabh Jain (@rishsamjain) September 14, 2025Posting again –
Not watching #INDvsPAK Match.
Not sure what is compelling Govt, BCCI & players to play against terrorist sponsored country – Pakistan, killed 26 innocent Indian in Pahalgam.
Its shameful.
— Kiran Rajput (@_KiranRajput) September 14, 2025#INDvsPAK #BoycottINDvPAK
Everyone to BCCI: pic.twitter.com/4E8jEyL5Zf
— 🇮🇳 رومانا (@RomanaRaza) September 14, 2025#AsiaCup #CricketTwitter #INDvsPAK
The moment Pakistan players stepped onto the field, a handful of supporters started chanting ‘India jeetega!’ and ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai!'
— Pratyush Raj (@pratyush93_raj) September 14, 2025Those who Boycotted India vs Pakistan match on X and other social media apps but watched secretly are the worst kind of people.
If you know such people, keep your safe distance with them.#INDvsPAK
— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) September 14, 2025True patriotism is holding institutions accountable, not targeting players for shaking hands.
BCCI and Indian government cleared the match, blaming players for the courtesy is misplaced. https://t.co/UZo3irPBPi
— Ashish Gupta (@AshishGupta325) September 9, 2025
