(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

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.

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.

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"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.

"With regard to international and multilateral events, in India or abroad, we are guided by the practices of international sports bodies and the interests of our own sportspersons. It is also relevant to take into account India's emergence as a credible venue to host international sports events,” the statement said.

"Accordingly, Indian teams and individual players will take part in international events that also have teams or players from Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani players and teams will be able to participate in such multilateral events hosted by India.”

With the ambitious goal of hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, the Indian government has decided against bowing to public pressure with a practical step.

In an interview with Khaleej Times last month, veteran Pakistani sports broadcaster Shahid Hashmi predicted that India would eventually allow the cricket team to play the Asia Cup match against Pakistan.

“It's in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter that you need to play and host every IOC member nation. So if you want to bid for the 2036 Olympics, but don't want to play cricket with Pakistan in an international event, it will have serious consequences for India's ambitions to host the Olympics,” Hashmi had said.

India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced on Thursday that the country would follow all international sports protocols.

"To position India as a preferred destination for hosting international sporting events, the visa process for sportspersons, team officials, technical personnel, and office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies shall be simplified,” the statement said.

“In respect of office-bearers of International Sports Governing Bodies, a multi-entry visa shall be granted on a priority basis for the duration of their official tenure, subject to a maximum period of five years. This shall facilitate their smooth movement into and within the country, in accordance with international norms. Due protocol and courtesies, as per established practice, shall be extended to the Heads of International Sports Governing Bodies during their visits to India."

India, which was scheduled to host the 2025 Asia Cup, brought the tournament to the UAE due to the recent conflict with Pakistan.

The tournament will get underway on September 9 and the final is scheduled for September 28.

India and Pakistan are drawn in Group A with Oman and the UAE. In Group B, Afghanistan will clash with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four Stage in this T20 event - a dress rehearsal for next year's Twenty20 World Cup. The Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi will host eight matches, while the Dubai International Stadium will stage 11 games, including the final on September 28.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team have already arrived here ahead of their tri-series against Afghanistan and the hosts UAE.

The historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium will host the tri-series from August 29 to September 7, giving the three teams ideal preparation for the Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

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