Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant has said that India should not play cricket with Pakistan because of the ongoing tensions between the two countries. He made this statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday during a special discussion on the Pahalgam terror attacks and Operation Sindoor.

Sawant questioned why India agreed to stop the war with Pakistan without putting any conditions. He asked, “If India was in a strong position, why didn’t we take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)?” He said that India should take strong steps like Indira Gandhi did during the 1971 war.

He also said that playing cricket with Pakistan is not right, especially when Pakistan has caused harm to India so many times. “It doesn’t feel right to play cricket with a country that has hurt us again and again,” he said. His comments come as India and Pakistan are expected to play each other in the Asia Cup 2025, which will be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28. The tournament will be in T20 format and will help teams prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

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Sawant also expressed worry that India did not get enough international support during Operation Sindoor. He said that China and Turkiye supported Pakistan, and even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) gave Pakistan a loan, despite India’s objections. The Super Four matches will start on September 20. If India and Pakistan top their group, they could face each other again in a big match on September 21.

Asia Cup 2025 Groups