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Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to face off in a massive match in Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai on September 14. It will be the first match between India and Pakistan cricket teams since India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ in retaliation to the Pahalgam terrorist attack earlier this year. The subsequent border tension had resulted in IPL 2025 as well as Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 being suspended for a week as well. The Indian Legends team refused to face Pakistan Legends team twice during the World Championships of Legends (WCL) 2025 tournament in UK last month in the aftermath of ‘Operation Sindoor’. Now the question on everybody’s mind is whether the crucial Asia Cup 2025 match between the two neighbours will go ahead or not. The Indian Sports Ministry came out with clear guideline on the issue on Thursday. The ministry said that India and Pakistan won’t engage in any bilateral sporting ties but the cricket team will not be stopped from playing the multi-national Asia Cup 2025 next month. The ministry unveiled the new policy with regard to Indias international engagements with emphasis on Pakistan. Sources said it is effective immediately. “Indias approach to sports events involving Pakistan reflects its overall policy in dealing with that country” states the ministry policy. “In so far as bilateral sports events in each others country are concerned Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India” it added. Multi-lateral sporting events like World Cup Asia Cup etc will not be affected The sports ministry made it abundantly clear that the multilateral engagements will not be affected. “We will not stop Indian cricket team from playing in Asia Cup as it is multilateral” the ministry source said. “But Pakistan will not be allowed on Indian soil for bilateral competitions. But we will not stop them from multilateral events as we will abide by Olympic Charter” he added. Asked if Indian teams will be allowed to travel to Pakistan for any multi-lateral competitions the source said “In that scenario we will examine the case before deciding anything. “Even in multi-lateral events we cant leave our athletes in lurch. After all it’s a country that has no hesitation in declaring that it’s a dumpster and can hit the shining Mercedes that is India” he added. Story Highlights India vs Pakistan cricket match in Asia Cup 2025 is set to take place in Dubai on September 14. Indian Sports Ministry on Thursday have come out with guidelines about sporting ties with neighbours Pakistan. There will be NO bilateral sporting ties between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan team can play each other during multi-lateral events like World Cup Asia Cup or Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Team India can face Pakistan possibly three times in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 tournament. Apart from the group fixture on September 14 India and Pakistan can face off in the Super 4 stage and if both teams qualify for the final they will go up against each other in the final on September 28 as well.