As the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 approaches on 14 September, tensions and debates have escalated off the field. Ahead of the match, IPL franchise Punjab Kings stirred controversy on social media by seemingly snubbing Pakistan.

The viral post

Punjab Kings shared a post promoting the “Second match of defending champions, let’s go,” featuring only Suryakumar Yadav’s photo and the Indian team’s logo. The logo of Pakistan was conspicuously missing, leaving the second column blank. The tweet quickly went viral, garnering mixed reactions online.

Voices questioning the match

The India-Pakistan match has sparked criticism from notable personalities. Former cricketer Manoj Tiwari had previously expressed his disapproval and said he would not watch the game. Following him, Harbhajan Singh voiced concerns at a recent event, mentioning that after “Operation Sindoor,” some believe there should be no cricketing or business engagements with Pakistan. He clarified that these were his personal opinions and that he respects the government’s decisions.

Context

This match comes after the Pahalgam attack, making the encounter emotionally charged for fans and players alike. While cricket enthusiasts are eager for the fixture, the surrounding controversies highlight the complex backdrop of India-Pakistan sporting ties.