Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 19 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday took a jab at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over the scheduled India-Pakistan cricket match in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, accusing the board of promoting "fake nationalism."
His remarks came after the BCCI announced the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2025 during a press conference attended by T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, which was held after a selection meeting which also featured the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia.
In a social media post on X, Thackeray wrote, "So, the bjp can keep telling you to 'go to pakistan'. They can send delegations to tell the world that Pak-based terrorists attacked India. BUT The @BCCI won't give up on the opportunity to play pak and earn #FakeNationalism."
https://x.com/AUThackeray/status/1957739201484468297
Team India for the Asia Cup 2025 was unveiled on Tuesday, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav leading the squad and Shubman Gill as his deputy, with several major names missing out.
India will begin their campaign against the UAE on September 10, while the highly anticipated match against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, with both games to be played in Dubai. India's final group stage fixture against Oman will take place on September 19 in Abu Dhabi.
After the group stage, the tournament will proceed to the Super 4, where the top two teams from each group will qualify. If India finishes at the top of Group A, then all of their Super 4 matches will be held in Dubai. If India finishes second, then one of their Super 4 clashes will be held in Abu Dhabi and the remaining two in Dubai.
The Super 4 stage will run from September 20 to 26. Dubai will host the final, scheduled for September 28. Suryakumar is the captain of a formidable Team India, which has been in stunning form since their ICC T20 World Cup win last year, having won 10 out of 13 matches since the marquee tournament and lost just two.
Thackeray had voiced similar concerns earlier. On August 12, the Sena (UBT) MLA criticised the BJP-led Central government and BCCI for continuing cricketing ties with Pakistan amid escalating tensions and threats from the neighbouring country.
Thackeray had made these remarks in the backdrop of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir reportedly threatening nuclear retaliation against India, claiming Pakistan could take down India and "half the world" in the event of an existential threat.
His remarks also followed the decision that India will play against Pakistan in the Men's Asia Cup 2025. Men's Asia Cup 2025 will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, and the India-Pakistan match is scheduled for September 14.
Speaking to reporters, the Shiv Sena UBT MLA said, "Pakistan is threatening, but what is the answer of the BJP government to that threat? The answer is that BCCI will go and play cricket with them. Why should BCCI play cricket with them? Last year, you must have seen that the top officials of BCCI were partying with Shahid Afridi and all other Pakistani cricketers."