'Never been anti-sports...'- Manoj Tiwary reacts to controversial India vs Pakistan clash of Men's Asia Cup 2025

The former Indian middle-order batter, Manoj Tiwary, has decided to boycott the upcoming clash of the Men’s Asia Cup between India and Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, on the back of the Pahalgam terror attack. The clash has already got so many controversies around the various social media platforms.

The West Bengal's Sports Minister claimed that the game will just be a normal sport between bat and ball, and they should never look to compare human lives with sports. Not only this clash, but Tiwary has decided to boycott the entire Asia Cup 2025.

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“I am boycotting the India vs Pakistan match as well as the Asia Cup because I cannot watch this. It needs to be understood that this is just a sport; this is not life. We are comparing human lives to sports; this should never be done. It is a very unfortunate situation. The problem has been ongoing for years.” Tiwary expressed during the recent interaction on ANI.

Manoj Tiwary decides to boycott Asia Cup 2025 after Pahalgam terror attack

The former Bengal captain has also shed light on how only the families who died on the line of duty while defending the nation can understand the terrorist attacks. India will be coming into their second encounter on the back of their dominating victory against the UAE when they chased 58 runs in 27 balls.

“From Pulwama to Pahalgam to Pathankot to all the numerous terrorist attacks. No Indian has forgotten this. You want to play the India vs Pakistan match in such a situation. I have never been anti-sports; I have been a Cricket player, and I am a Sports Minister. I had said that on a personal front, I am boycotting the India vs Pakistan match as well as the Asia Cup.” Tiwary shed light.

“It needs to be understood that this is just a sport; this is not life. We are comparing human lives to sports; this should never be done. Only the families of those who die in the line of duty while defending the nation and innocent civilians who are killed in terrorist attacks can understand this. So, I feel this should not have happened.” The former Indian batter explained.