Boycott India vs Pakistan match trends on social media; BCCI plans 'Invisible Boycott' of today's clash

Cricket fans usually await the biggest battle in the sport, which is often the India vs. Pakistan clash. This showdown has never been just about cricket; it has always carried the weight of national pride. However, this time, during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, fans and citizens of India are not looking forward to today's India–Pakistan match at all.

This is the first face-off between the two nations on a cricket field since the gruesome Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that left the nation in shock and claimed over 20 innocent lives. The attack was followed by the Indian armed forces' retaliation, Operation Sindoora, a major conflict spanning over three months, that is April, May, and June.

After which, the Government of India imposed a complete ban on Pakistani actors and even blocked their Instagram accounts. Amid all this, today's India–Pakistan match has angered many netizens; many are seeing this as an insult to the victims of the Pahalgam attack and to the soldiers who laid down their lives.

Social media is flooded with calls to boycott the match, with hashtags like #BoycottIndvsPak trending widely. Former cricketers, journalists, and public figures have also urged fans to skip the game.

Aishanya Dwivedi, the young widow of a man killed in the recent Pahalgam terror attack,  condemned the upcoming India vs Pakistan match.

Speaking to ANI, she said, "BCCI should not have accepted a match between India and Pakistan. I think BCCI is not sentimental towards those 26 families. What are our cricketers doing? Cricketers are said to be nationalists. It is viewed as our national game. Except for 1-2 cricket players, nobody stepped forward to say that we should boycott the match against Pakistan. BCCI cannot make them play at gunpoint. They should take a stand for their country. But they are not doing it.."

"I would like to ask the sponsors and broadcasters if their nationality for those 26 families is finished? What will the revenue from the match be used for? Pakistan will use this just for terrorism. That is a terrorist nation. You will provide them with revenue and prepare them to attack us once again. I cannot understand this," she added.

She concluded, "Don't switch on your TVs. Don't give them the numbers. Boycott this match."

Many brands and social media users have also boycotted today's match.

A user wrote: "The India-Pakistan match should not take place in the Asia Cup. Just a few days ago, innocent Indians were martyred... Why are those who speak of the nation's interest silent now? Is cricket and money so important that they have forgotten Pakistan's cowardly act so quickly?"

Another user said: "In respect of those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack, and standing with my Indian brothers and sisters, I fully support the boycott of the India vs Pakistan match. If you agree, join this trend and retweet."

A third user asked: "Can we, as a nation, collectively boycott the India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup? If BCCI cannot do it, we as a nation can. Jay Hind"

A fourth user advised: "Don't switch on your TVs. Don't give them the numbers. Boycott this match."

BCCI's invisible protest

It seems like the BCCI has taken note of the negative chatter surrounding the India vs. Pakistan clash and has reportedly opted for a silent boycott amid social media backlash. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, most BCCI officials have decided to distance themselves from the upcoming Group A match between the two neighbouring countries. This move is being viewed as an "invisible boycott" by the Indian cricket board.

The report highlights that no senior BCCI official has reached Dubai so far. In contrast, when India faced Pakistan in the Champions Trophy in Dubai earlier this year, all top BCCI officials were in attendance.

As per the report, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, treasurer Prabhtej Bhatia, and joint secretary Rohan Desai are unlikely to travel to Dubai for the match, which will be played on Sunday, September 14. Rajeev Shukla, the acting president of the BCCI and an executive board member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), is expected to be present at the venue. Meanwhile, ICC chairman Jay Shah is currently in the US and will also miss the contest.

A BCCI official clarified that the match itself would proceed as scheduled, as it had been approved by the government. However, the board's top brass is wary of appearing on camera during the game. The report further claims that a BCCI official may only be seen on camera after an Indian victory is secured.

"We agreed to the match after getting permission from the government. If we come on camera during the match, attempts would be made to create an atmosphere against us," a BCCI official was quoted as saying by Dainik Jagran.

When and where to watch the India vs Pakistan match 

The Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan will begin at 8:00 pm IST on Sunday, September 14. The toss for the match will take place at 7:30 pm IST. The Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network. The match will be live-streamed on SonyLiv.

India and Pakistan squads

India:  Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.