The countdown to the Asia Cup 2025’s mouth-watering fixture, India vs Pakistan in Dubai, is marked by controversy rather than cricket. Pakistan Super League (PSL) side Karachi Kings stoked debate with a chess-themed graphic that portrayed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha facing an empty silhouette representing India. The design was quickly compared to IPL team Punjab Kings’ earlier social media post that skipped naming Pakistan in their fixture update.
Karachi Kings’ “copycat” act triggered online banter and criticism alike, underlining how the rivalry extends beyond the boundary. Punjab Kings had previously faced a storm, forcing them to switch off comments after their silence on Pakistan was seen as deliberate.
Adding to the noise, a plea in India’s Supreme Court has demanded cancellation of the India-Pakistan encounter. Citing the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the petitioners said sports ties with Pakistan compromise national security and dishonour soldiers’ sacrifices. “Cricket should symbolize harmony, not diminish dignity,” the petition stated. The court, however, denied an urgent listing.
On the field, both India and Pakistan have kicked off their Asia Cup campaigns with victories, raising the possibility of multiple clashes if they progress. For now, the cricketing spectacle remains intact, even as political undertones dominate the narrative around one of sport’s fiercest rivalries.