Poster, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), features captains of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but noticeably omits Pakistani captain
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-June 24th, 2025) In a move that has stirred controversy among cricket fans, Indian sports broadcaster Sony Sports has released a promotional poster for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025—excluding any representation of Pakistan.
The poster, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), features the captains of India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, but noticeably omits the Pakistani captain. The exclusion has drawn sharp criticism from fans across the region, who accused the broadcaster of mixing politics with sports.
This incident comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, though both countries are expected to participate in the tournament. Despite the strained diplomatic relations, cricket fans were eagerly anticipating a classic showdown between the two rivals in Asia Cup 2025, seen as a major precursor to the T20 World Cup in 2026.
The tournament is scheduled to take place in September this year and will be played in the T20 format. While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to host the event, the hosting rights officially remain with India.
The poster's release, despite the absence of an official schedule, has fueled speculation that the event will proceed on time. However, the broadcaster’s decision to exclude Pakistan from promotional materials has ignited frustration among cricket enthusiasts, who view the move as an unnecessary provocation.
As anticipation for the Asia Cup builds, the fans hope that cricket would serve as a unifying force, rather than a source of division in the region.
