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New Delhi: The Asia Cup fixtures had been released earlier this month, with India and Pakistan scheduled to face off on September 14 in the group league stage in Dubai.

But many wondered whether the Central government would allow our national team to play Pakistan, post the Pahalgam terror attack.

Though the two neighbours had been playing each other regularly in multi-team events like World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, despite strictly avoiding bilateral series for more than a decade, the current scenario was perceived to be different after India’s tough stand and strong actions after 26 innocent men were gunned down at Baisaran valley in Pahalgam on April 22.

On Thursday, all doubts were cleared as the Indian government gave the green signal to India facing off against Pakistan in Asia Cup, not just once but possibly twice or thrice.

No sooner did the Sports Ministry unveil the policy on India’s international engagements with emphasis on Pakistan than social media users started questioning the decision.

Most of those who were angry with the government’s decision, as well as politicians from Opposition parties, pointed out that if Pakistan can boycott the upcoming Asia Cup Hockey meet in Rajgir, why couldn’t India boycott the Asia Cup Cricket championship and Pakistan?

“Pakistan Hockey team has a stronger spine than our administration,” posted one user.

“So dat means BLOOD & WATER can’t flow together but BLOOD & BALL can! NATIONALISM<<<<10Sec AD SLOT.. Shame on you.. @narendramodi @AmitShah @JayShah @BCCI,” hit out one netizen.

“Shame on BCCI,” remarked one person.

Another furious comment read: “Forget the India – Pakistan matches, I am not going to watch a single delivery of any of the Asia Cup matches. What about you?”

One social media user had a slightly different view, saying “India should participate in the Asia Cup but boycott the match against Pakistan.”

As for the politicians, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Priyanka Chaturvedi called the Indian government’s decision ‘cowardly’.

“The Pakistan Hockey team has BOYCOTTED Asia Hockey cup despite getting all clearances to play in India .. and our Indian government’s cowardly stand to go ahead with the cricket match is a damn shame,” Priyanka Chaturvedi wrote.

Aaditya Thackeray slammed the BJP-led Central government, saying it was a major letdown.

“What a let down from a party – the BJP, that runs the Union Government and gives certificates of nationalism to others. Pakistan has BOYCOTTED the Hockey Asia Cup in India. It is NOT coming. What courtesy and international norm is it following?? Nothing holds us back from hosting international tournaments by boycotting terrorism. Is any such sport, that is just a sport, bigger than the Sindoor? Is it bigger than the supreme sacrifice of our armed forces? #ShameonBCCI for their greed for revenue rather than to take a stand for our country,” posted Uddhav Thackeray’s son.