Did BCCI quietly edit India vs Pakistan Asia Cup promo tweet amid backlash?

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) deleted its initial promotional post for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash and reuploaded it with toned-down text, dropping the hashtag #INDvPAK.

The original post had read: “Consistent, Prepared & Raring to Get Going. It’s Match No. 2 for #TeamIndia in #AsiaCup2025,” followed by the hashtag #INDvPAK. In its revised version, the caption was softened to “All Set & Raring to Go.”

The change came as the cricket board faced mounting criticism for going ahead with the match despite widespread calls for a boycott.

Protests erupt across India

Opposition parties staged protests in several states on Sunday against the scheduled clash in Dubai. Shiv Sena (UBT) workers demonstrated in Maharashtra and Jammu, while Aam Aadmi Party members staged protests in Delhi. In Hyderabad, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slammed the Centre, asking whether “the money earned through the match was more than the value of the lives of those killed in Pahalgam.”

Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also targeted the BJP, mocking its “nationalism” while accusing it of double standards.

Pahalgam victim’s daughter voices anger

Amid the row, Asavari Jagdale, daughter of Santosh Jagdale—one of the 26 people killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack—renewed her call to boycott the match.

“I feel that today's match should not take place. Just over five months ago, the Pahalgam attack claimed 26 lives. And after all this, if the BCCI still thinks that they should go ahead with the match, then it is wrong,” she told PTI.

Asavari, who was present in Baisaran Valley with her parents when terrorists killed her father and their family friend Kaustubh Ganbote, said holding the match amounts to “playing with the emotions” of victims’ families.

India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025

The Indian cricket team will lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan in their second Group A clash of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, which will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams are heading into the contest on the back of convincing wins in their respective openers. India dominated hosts UAE by nine wickets in their first match, while Pakistan outclassed Hong Kong China by 93 runs comfortably.

The result makes Sunday's encounter pivotal in the race to the Super Four. A win here not only brings bragging rights but also strengthens early qualification chances, according to Olympics.com.

India vs Pakistan live stream Asia Cup: TV channels, live streaming

The match will be broadcast on Sony Sports network, and live-stream coverage will be available on the Sony Liv app and website (sonyliv.com), as well as on FanCode.

Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 3 (Hindi), Sony Sports 4 (Telugu), Sony Sports 4 (Tamil) and Sony Sports 5.