Amidst ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has once again voiced his opinion on the cricketing ties between the two nations, suggesting that India should avoid playing against Pakistan until relations improve. This statement comes just days before the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 clash between the arch-rivals in Dubai on September 14.
Singh's stance is rooted in the belief that national interest and security should take precedence over sports. He has consistently maintained this position, particularly after the recent Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent 'Operation Sindoor' by India. The attack, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians, led to heightened military and diplomatic tensions, causing public sentiment in India to turn sharply against sporting ties with Pakistan.
Harbhajan Singh's condition for India-Pakistan cricket isn't new. He has been a vocal advocate for severing cricketing and business ties until relations normalize. Citing the example of his team, 'Indian Legends,' twice conceding their match against Pakistan in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), Harbhajan has asserted that India should boycott playing against Pakistan for the time being. Following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government adopted a policy to suspend bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan while continuing to face them in multilateral events.
The WCL instance highlights the sensitivity surrounding India-Pakistan matches. Several Indian players, including Shikhar Dhawan and Yusuf Pathan, also withdrew from the WCL match against Pakistan, citing the Pahalgam terror attack. The WCL organizers eventually canceled the match scheduled for July 20, 2025, in Birmingham. Adding to the controversy during the WCL, the organizers reportedly excluded Shahid Afridi from the Pakistani squad due to his outspoken political remarks against India.
Harbhajan's comments also reflect a broader debate on whether sports should be isolated from politics. He questioned the BCCI's stance on playing Pakistan amid ongoing tensions, emphasizing the sacrifices made by soldiers on the border. "For me, the soldier who stands on the border, whose family often doesn't get to see him, who sometimes sacrifices his life and never returns home, their sacrifice is so immense for all of us. Compared to that, this is a very small thing, that we can't skip playing one cricket match. It's a very small matter," Harbhajan stated.
Despite his personal views, Harbhajan has also acknowledged that the government's decision should prevail. "Everyone has their own way of thinking and understanding, but I feel till the time relations between the two countries do not improve, cricket and business should not be there, however, that is my thought. But if the government says the match can happen, it should happen but the relations between the two countries should be better," he said.
As the Asia Cup 2025 approaches, the India-Pakistan clash remains a focal point, not just for cricket enthusiasts but also for those closely observing the geopolitical dynamics between the two nations. While the BCCI has given the green light for the match to proceed, the sentiments expressed by figures like Harbhajan Singh underscore the complexities and sensitivities involved.
