Social media has continued its trend to boycott the upcoming clash between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the Men’s Asia Cup 2025 on September 14. Many called for the Suryakumar Yadav-led side not to feature in the game and focus on the other two group-stage clashes, one of which they have already won against the UAE.

However, the former BCCI president and current BJP member of Parliament, Anurag Thakur, clarified that such games can’t be avoided in multi-nation events that are conducted by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) or the International Cricket Council (ICC).  

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“When multinational tournaments are organised by ACC or ICC, it becomes a compulsion, a necessity for nations to participate. If they don't do that, they will be eliminated from the tournament, they will have to forfeit the match, and the other team will get the points.” Thakur addressed during a recent interaction on ANI.

Anurag Thakur discloses reason for India’s participation against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2025

The last meeting between these two teams came in 2012/13 in the bilateral series. However, their last face-to-face came in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, but the latest clash comes in the backdrop of the heightened tensions of the Operation Sindhoor, India’s retaliatory action against Pakistan’s terror attack.  

“But India doesn't play bilateral tournaments with Pakistan. We have made this decision for years that India won't play bilateral tournaments with Pakistan until Pakistan stops terrorist attacks on India.” Thakur added during the same interaction. This contest will be incredibly vital for both sides to make their Super Four berth in the event.

Meanwhile, the former spin all-rounder of the Blue Brigade, Harbhajan Singh, also called for boycotting the clash, despite stressing that personal sentiment and policy often differ in such matters during the debate. “India-Pakistan matches always come into the limelight, but after Operation Sindhoor, everyone said there should be no cricket and no business. We were playing the World Championship of Legends, but we did not play that match against Pakistan.” The veteran concluded. 

Anurag Thakur, BJP MP at present and former Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs of India, has played a spectacular shot over the Point region for an over boundary. The shot from the 50-year-old politician, who was a cricketer in his early days, amazed the cricket fans on and off the MCA Cricket Stadium.

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Recently, on March 22 (Saturday), a T20 match was held between politicians and Bollywood celebrities, which was an effort to raise awareness of tuberculosis. Politician XI was led by Anurag Thakur, and on the other hand, Abhheta XI's skipper was Shunil Shetty. Shetty's team emerged victorious against the politicians XI in a steady manner. But one of the highlighted and eye-catching moments of the match was from the Politician XI side. Under the leadership of Thakur, Neta XI was able to put a humongous 249 score on board, thanks to the former cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan. 

Pathan, like the good old days, was hitting boundaries and over boundaries for fun to score a hundred. He scored a total of 119, and former team India captain Mohammad Azharuddin played a 54-run innings. A classy Azharuddin, entertaining Pathan—perhaps these were expected. But who thought that Anurag Thakur could pull off this kind of shot under his belt? It was an absolutely surprising moment in the match. 

When’s the next IPL auction?
Teams should definitely bid for Anurag Thakur

This is a pro level batting 🔥 pic.twitter.com/v8VsnD4dAN

— Politics Pe Charcha (@politicscharcha) March 26, 2025

Needless to say, Thakur was a talented cricketer in his young age who played a Ranji Trophy match for Himachal Pradesh. Despite notable moments from Neta XI, it was the Abhineta XI who launched at last.

Neta XI: Anurag Thakur (C), Ram Mohan Naidu, Manoj Tiwari, Azharuddin, Pathan, Shrikant Shinde, Lavu Sri Krishna, Deepender Hooda, Gurmeet Hayer, K. Sudhakar, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Kamlesh Paswan.Abineta XI: Sunil Shetty (C), Sohail Khan, Sharad Kelkar, Raja Bhervani, Shabbir Ahluwalia, Daruwala Freddy, Sameer Kochar, Navdeep Tomar, Sunny Deol, Abhishek Kapoor, Siddharth Jadhav, and Muddasir Bhat.

In the mission of "TB-Free India Awareness Cricket Match", Parliamentarians had a cricket on Sunday (December 15) morning. It was a T20 match between Lok Sabha Speaker's XI and Rajya Sabha Chairman's XI at Delhi's Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium. It was a friendly match to create awareness of tuberculosis (TB).

Former Union Minister and former BCCI president Anurag Singh Thakur led the Lok Sabha Speaker's XI and Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju led the Rajya Sabha Chairman's XI. Interestingly, both the captains were the former ministers of Youth Affairs and Sports.

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Anurag Thakur scored a century

Lok Sabha Speaker's XI batted first and scored 251/7 in 20 overs. After completing his century in 59 balls, BJP MP Anurag Thakur scored 111 not out off 65 balls. 

Mohammad Azharuddin had a great time with the bat

In reply, Rajya Sabha Chairman's XI scored only 178/8, as Lok Sabha Speaker's XI won the match by 73 runs. For the Rajya Sabha Chairman's XI, former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin scored 74 off 42 balls.

During the first innings of the match, both the former sports ministers had a face-off, where Rijiju bowled Thakur, who scored 42 runs off 31 balls at that time. While Rijiju's team was busy in celebration and Thakur was returning, the bowling end umpire called a no-ball. It was a lucky chance for Thakur, who utilised that opportunity very well.  

Kiren Rijiju bowled Anurag Thakur, but it was a no ball. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6rTdbbmPwT

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 15, 2024

Awards

Anurag Thakur won the Player of the Match award. Meanwhile, Deepender Hooda won the best bowler award and Nishikant Dubey won the best fielder award. Mohammad Azharuddin won the best batter award, Karnataka MP K. Sudhakar won the Super Six award, and actor Manoj Tiwari won the Super Catch award. Uttar Pradesh MP Chandrashekhar Azad won the fighter of the match award. Meanwhile, Ram Mohan Naidu and Imran Pratapgarhi won the Golden Duck award.