“ The cricket is not played by emotions only ‘

The buzz around India’s Asia Cup campaign was solely about geopolitics before the squad announcement. With Operation Sindoor hardening the narrative against Pakistan, questions always spilled into cricketing. Should India even take the field against Pakistan on September 14? After all the back-and-forth between the two fiercest rivals, the Indian government gave a nod to playing against the Men in Green, albeit only in multi-nation tournaments.

Mohammed Shami on if India should play Pakistan

Mohammed Shami, never one to dress up words, cut through the noise. The senior pacer divulged only emotions don’t run the game. A lot of things are involved and that is exactly what Shami meant when he said players are bound to do whatever the government and board decide.

“I don’t go behind controversies. However, it is always better to agree with whatever the government and the cricket board say. Whatever they decide, you should stick behind it. Cricket isn’t played just by emotions. There are a lot of other things involved. When everyone agrees to play, you should play,” said Shami while speaking to News24.

With the Asia Cup 2025 set to pit the two neighbours against each other on September 14 in Dubai, questions have been raised on whether India should even play Pakistan given the political and security tensions.

Asked about the emotional hype of facing Pakistan, the fast bowler downplayed it from a player’s perspective. “I don’t think it is absolutely different playing against Pakistan as compared to other nations. However, the fans have that emotion. Their craze creates a whole new environment. That plays a part in pumping up the players extra. So, that is fun.”

As things stand, India and Pakistan could meet up to three times during the Asia Cup if they cross paths again in the knockouts. The Pahalgam terror attack, followed by Operation Sindoor, left the public mood raw. Political leaders and former cricketers alike have questioned the logic of going ahead with the fixture. Yet, with neither the BCCI nor the government ready to shoulder responsibility, the Asia Cup schedule has stayed untouched.