BCCI Officials Absent Ahead of High-Voltage Asia Cup Clash Between India And Pakistan. The build-up for the Asia Cup’s biggest fixture—India vs. Pakistan—has taken a twist for the worse as reports suggest that most senior members of BCCI have chosen not to attend the event in Dubai, even though India is the host of the tournament.
Absence Raises Eyebrows
As of Saturday evening, no senior BCCI office bearer was present in Dubai, which has raised questions about a silent boycott of the spectacle. The absence has raised the most eyebrows, given the event—the biggest match played out under cricket’s “biggest rivalry.” Indian-Pakistan encounters have traditionally attracted chief executives, top sponsors, and even political leaders on occasion.
The background to this no-show is an increasing public backlash in India regarding sporting links with Pakistan, following recent events, including the attack at Pahalgam. Families of victims and several political ears had been calling for the government and cricketing authorities to pull out from Indian participation. The government had, however, approved India’s presence, provided the bilateral relationship continued to remain frozen. However, from the looks of it, BCCI’s top officials are trying to strike a balance between diplomacy and face, given that the attendance would provoke a multiplier of backlash.
Symbolic Gesture or Logistical Delay?
Officially, the board has remained silent, but those in the know believe not playing the match might be a symbolic gesture to show discontent without jeopardizing India’s campaign. Critics warn that remaining silent only fuels speculation and creates divisions amongst fans.
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Nonetheless, Sunday’s match at the Dubai International Stadium will have a global audience; however, the VIP box empty for BCCI dignitaries may tell just as much of the story as the cricket being played on the field.
