'Government has clarified' - IPL chairperson Arun Dhumal opens up on India-Pakistan 2025 Asia Cup clash

Indian Premier League's chairperson Arun Dhumal has wished the Indian team luck for the ongoing Asia Cup, while also clarifying the government's stance on the upcoming India-Pakistan clash. The arch-rivals are set to take on each other in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14.

When asked to give his opinion on whether the match should take place or not in light of the recent political tensions between the two nations, Dhumal remarked that the final decision to play Pakistan or not rested in the hands of the Indian government.   

"I wish the Indian team all the best for the Asia Cup. The government has clarified its position that when it comes to bilateral, we are not going to play against Pakistan. But when you have such an ACC trophy or ICC trophy, we will have to participate in that. So, we'll go by what the government advises us to do," stated Dhumal, as quoted by News18.

Dhumal's comments come amid calls of boycott of the fixture after the recent tragedy due to terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed multiple lives and left many injured.

The horrors in Pahalgam had brought IPL 2025 to a standstill for over a week owing to the rising tensions at the border. The mega event was eventually resumed and brought to a close after a revised schedule was announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in May.

Speaking of the current continental event, India have got off to a flying start. The Men in Blue romped through to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory with 93 deliveries to spare against hosts UAE. Opting to field first, the Suryakumar Yadav-led unit were all over UAE, who were eventually bowled out for just 57 in 13.1 overs. India chased the target in merely 4.3 overs.