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A cricket match between India and Pakistan, scheduled for September 14 as part of the Asia Cup 2025, has ignited a political storm in India, coming just months after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

The match, a marquee Sunday fixture, is set to take place barely four months after the deadly April 22 attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which India blames on Pakistan-based terrorists. The incident was followed by retaliatory Indian airstrikes on terror camps across the border, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

The release of the Asia Cup schedule on Kargil Vijay Diwas — a day that commemorates India’s 1999 military victory over Pakistan — has further fuelled outrage. Opposition leaders have called for a boycott of Pakistan in international sports, accusing the cricket board of prioritising profits over national sentiment.

Opposition Slams BCCI 

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi strongly criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for proceeding with the fixture.

"Stop your profit over the blood of Indians and Armed Forces," wrote the Rajya Sabha MP on social media. "India's CDS has said Operation Sindoor is ongoing, yet there’s a rush to earn blood money."

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, representing Lohardaga in Jharkhand, said sports must take a backseat under current circumstances.

"Patriotism and national sentiment are hurt by Pakistan’s actions. We must act strongly before considering sporting ties,” he said.

Precedent of Boycott Over Pahalgam Attack

Earlier this month, an India-Pakistan match in the World Championship of Legends was cancelled in England after retired Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Shikhar Dhawan pulled out, citing the Pahalgam killings.

Former India captain and Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin also weighed in, saying:

"If we’re not playing bilateral series, we shouldn’t face them in international tournaments either." The BCCI has not yet commented on the political backlash.