Jaipur: The family of a Jaipur man killed in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack has said they have “no problem” with India facing Pakistan in the Asia Cup, insisting that cricket and terrorism are “separate issues.”

Niraj Udhwani, who worked as a finance manager in Dubai, was among 26 tourists shot dead when terrorists opened fire in Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

Niraj and his wife Aayushi had travelled from Dubai to attend a wedding in Shimla before heading to Kashmir for a holiday.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Niraj’s uncle, Bhagwan Das Udhwani, said: “Woh khel ki bhavna hai, woh alag cheez hai, ye cheez alag hai. Usmein is baat ko tuul dena nahi chahiye (It’s the spirit of the game. This is different, and that [the Pahalgam attack] is different. One should not equate the two).”

Another uncle, Prakash Udhwani, also backed the Asia Cup clash, pointing out that it was an international tournament. “Agar India nahi khelega toh naam kharab hoga, bahar ho jaayega (If India didn’t play, its name would be tarnished, and it would be out of the tournament). Match toh karna chahiye tha, koi dikkat nahi hai (The match had to be played, there is no issue).”

Prakash further said India’s victory itself was enough. “We know India always defeats Pakistan, and Pakistan was humiliated. Boycotts are just gimmicks. National and international-level matters are separate.”

India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in Sunday’s Asia Cup T20 in Dubai. Earlier, BJP MP and former sports minister Anurag Thakur had also said the game was played only because it was part of an ICC-organised multinational tournament.

Niraj, an alumnus of the Indian High School in Dubai, married Aayushi in February 2023. The couple had no children. Following the tragedy, Aayushi has since returned to Dubai.