Cricket legend Kapil Dev has called for calm amid the heated debate surrounding the India-Pakistan clash in the ongoing Asia Cup, urging fans and media not to inflate the issue. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the former World Cup-winning captain emphasized that players should focus solely on their performance, leaving political matters to the government. “Just go and win. Players should play, and the government will handle its job,” Kapil Dev said, addressing the controversy fueled by strained India-Pakistan relations, particularly after the recent Pahalgam attack.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has clarified that it adheres to the central government’s policy, which allows India to compete against Pakistan in multinational tournaments like the Asia Cup but prohibits bilateral series due to security and diplomatic concerns. The two teams haven’t faced off in a bilateral series since 2012–13, with their encounters now limited to International Cricket Council (ICC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events.
The 17th edition of the Asia Cup, officially hosted by India but held in Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to geopolitical tensions, kicked off on September 9. India, the defending champions, started their campaign with a dominant nine-wicket victory over the UAE, bowling them out for 57 runs in 79 balls and chasing the target in just 27 balls. Kapil Dev praised the team’s performance, saying, “It’s a strong team, and their opening win was impressive. Let’s hope they bring the trophy home again.”
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The India-Pakistan match remains the tournament’s most anticipated fixture, drawing global attention due to the rarity of their meetings and the intense rivalry. However, Kapil Dev’s comments reflect a desire to keep the focus on cricket rather than political narratives. As the tournament progresses in the UAE, India aims to defend their 2023 ODI Asia Cup title, with fans eagerly awaiting the high-stakes clash against Pakistan.
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