Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim Shubham Dwivedi, has appealed to Indians to boycott the upcoming India–Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash scheduled for Sunday, urging people not to attend or even watch it on television.
“I cannot understand this. I urge people to boycott this. Do not go to watch this and do not switch on your TV for this,” Dwivedi told ANI, expressing anguish over the game being played despite the recent loss of lives in the terror attack.
Criticising the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), she said, “BCCI should not have accepted a match between India and Pakistan. I think BCCI is not sentimental towards those 26 families and the martyrs of Operation Sindoor.”
She also questioned the silence of most Indian cricketers, noting that only “one or two players” spoke in favour of a boycott. “BCCI cannot make them play at gunpoint. They should take a stand for their country, but they are not doing it,” she added.
Raising concerns about the revenue generated from the match, Dwivedi alleged it would strengthen Pakistan’s ability to sponsor terrorism. “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 revenue and prepare them to attack us once again,” she said.
India and Pakistan are set to face off on September 14 in the UAE. While India maintains its stance of no bilateral series with Pakistan, it continues to allow encounters in multinational tournaments like the Asia Cup and ICC events.