All's well that ends well: Decks cleared for India-Pakistan match in Dubai

Ending intense speculations amid media and public debates, the government of India announced on Thursday that the Indian team would play their Asia Cup match against Pakistan in Dubai on September 14.

- Rituraj Borkakoty

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also clarified that India would continue to play Pakistan in any multi-team sports event, while reiterating that the ban on bilateral games between the two countries would remain in place.

"Insofar as bilateral sports events in each other's country are concerned, Indian teams will not be participating in competitions in Pakistan. Nor will we permit Pakistani teams to play in India," the ministry's statement said.

Indian media and opposition leaders demanded that the cricket board (BCCI) boycott the match against Pakistan amid the ongoing political tension following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, which led to a four-day military conflict between the two countries in May.

But the government statement on Thursday has cleared the Indian team to take on Pakistan in the high-voltage Asia Cup Group A match at Dubai International Stadium on September 14.