Won't watch IND vs PAK match, value of human life more than sports: Manoj Tiwary

For the first time since the T20 World Cup 2024, an India vs. Pakistan match is scheduled for the Asia Cup 2025. On September 14, the two bitter rivals will square off in the tournament's Group A match. Many former players have expressed their disapproval of this match, saying that it should never happen in light of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack and the Operation Sindoor retaliation that followed. Manoj Tiwary, a former batter for India, has now spoken out against the massive match between the two bitter rivals.

Tiwary was blunt in his criticism of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for holding the Asia Cup match against Pakistan in spite of the national mood. A boycott of the forthcoming India-Pakistan match is becoming more and more popular in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. If the arch-rivals go to the Super 4s and the final, they may face each other three times during the tournament.

"I am a little surprised that this match is going to happen. After the Pahalgam attack, in which so many innocent civilians were killed, and then the war that followed, a lot of talk was going on that this time we will give a befitting reply," Tiwary said to ANI.

He further mentioned, “Despite this, after a few months, everything has been forgotten. I find it hard to believe that this match is happening, that the value of a human life can be zero. What do they want to achieve by playing with Pakistan?… The value of a human life should be more than sports… There is no question of me watching the match at all…”

The teams for the forthcoming Asia Cup, which starts on September 9, have already been announced by India and Pakistan. India chose to enter with a roster of 15 players, whereas Pakistan nominated a squad of 17.

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