‘What Are Our Cricketers Doing?’ Pahalgam Attack Widow Urges Boycott of India-Pakistan Asia Cup Match

Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of a soldier killed in the recent Pahalgam terror attack, has strongly condemned the upcoming India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, calling for a boycott of the game. She also criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for agreeing to play against Pakistan, which she described as a "terrorist nation."

Dwivedi accused the BCCI of disregarding the sacrifices of the 26 people who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack. Speaking to ANI, she said, "BCCI should not have accepted a match between India and Pakistan. I feel they are not showing any sentiment towards the families of the 26 victims. What are our cricketers doing? Cricket is said to be our national game, and players are expected to be nationalists. Except for one or two cricketers, nobody has come forward to suggest we should boycott the match. BCCI cannot force them to play-they should take a stand for the country, but they are not doing it."

Dwivedi also raised questions for sponsors and broadcasters, asking, "What about the nationality of those 26 families? What will the revenue from this match be used for? Pakistan will use it for terrorism. That is a terrorist nation. You are providing them revenue and preparing them to attack us again. I cannot understand this."

She urged fans across the country to take a stand by boycotting the match. "Don't switch on your TVs. Don't give them the numbers. Boycott this match," she said.

The upcoming India-Pakistan clash, scheduled for September 14, has also drawn criticism from opposition parties, including AIMIM and Shiv Sena (UBT), who have slammed both the BJP and the BCCI over the decision to hold the match.