Can Sports Min stop Indo-Pak Asia Cup clashes? Not really

The India-Pakistan cricketing rivalry is set for a brief resumption at next month's Asia Cup but the mere announcement of it has triggered an avalanche of criticism on social media and a question. Can the sports ministry have a say in the matter?

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Emotions are still running high after 26 people were gunned down by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's popular tourist hub of Pahalgam in April. The gruesome killings even led to a brief military showdown between the old foes. Months later, the cricket teams of the two nations will clash in the Asia Cup.

"As of now, the BCCI does not come under the purview of the sports ministry as the National Sports Governance Bill is still to be passed. So, the ministry doesn't have a say, but we will wait and see how the BCCI responds to public sentiment," a sports ministry source told PTI.

Lieutenant General (Retd) KJS Dhillon, who served as the Director General of Defence Intelligence Agency, is among the prominent voices who have called for a boycott of any cricketing ties with Pakistan. However, former BCCI President and captain Sourav Ganguly, while condemning terrorism, has stated that "sport should go on".