Just a couple of months after hostile tensions between the two countries following the Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor, the Indian and Pakistan cricket teams will possibly face each other thrice during the 2025 Asia Cup, a move that has triggered outrage on social media.

For those unversed, the schedule for the continental event was announced on Saturday (July 26). Although India are hosts of the competition, the UAE will host it. India and Pakistan are in the same group alongside the UAE and Oman. The arch-rivals will face each other on 14th September. With the two teams favourites to qualify for the Super 4, they will also play again on September 21. A final between both on September 28 is also possible.

While the decision to continue playing cricket with Pakistan has been criticised and gone against the national sentiment, it has emerged that India's bid for the 2036 Olympics is the reason behind the decision to continue playing cricket with Pakistan.

As per a report by Cricbuzz, it is a necessity for India to adopt an accommodating approach towards sporting events in order to be a host nation for the Olympic games.

Earlier this month, the Indian sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated that the Government of India does not have an issue with India playing Pakistan in multilateral sporting events. Moreover, they also granted permission to the Pakistan Hockey Team to visit India for the Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29.

As per the Olympic Charter's Rule 44, no country can be barred from participation in competitions on the basis of race, religion, or political reasons.

The Indian women's cricket team will also play Pakistan in the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup 2025 and the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup.

The decision has come just a week after a major controversy erupted during the ongoing World Championship of Legends (WCL), leading to the India-Pakistan clash being cancelled.