Play with friends, not enemies: Opposition slams Modi government over India-Pak match

As India prepares to face arch-rivals Pakistan in the big ICC T20 World Cup match in Colombo tonight, several opposition leaders have raised strong objections against the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Union government for allowing the match to go ahead. Questioning the timing and intent behind the decision, they accused the Center of double standards by allowing a high-profile sporting match with a country it often labels as an opponent.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut launched a sharp attack alleging that financial interests related to betting and gaming are playing the leading role.

Targeting the ruling BJP, he said, “This is not a match between India and Pakistan. This is a match between Jay Shah and Pakistan. The people of India do not want it. The Indian public does not agree to India playing Pakistan. The India-Pakistan match generates the highest number of bets and gambles in cricket, and the money also goes to Pakistan. Even dalals (betters), especially politicians in the BJP, are benefiting from it”.

He further alleged that gambling syndicates operating from Gujarat and Rajasthan are part of a vast network, with funds allegedly flowing across the border.

“In the last match against Pakistan, Rs 25,000 crore went to Pakistan. That money then reaches terrorists – some goes to Pahalgam, some to Pulwama, some to Uri, some to Pathankot. This is what is happening with Indian-Pakistani cricket; the money is flowing this way,” he added.

RJD MP Manoj Jha echoed Raut and said, “We have created a very funny situation. If there are concerns, the choice is whether we play or not. They will play, and the media will focus on whether they shake hands. Isn’t this funny? Isn’t this an attempt to undermine the image of a huge country like India?”

“I know there are billions of rupees involved. They played right after the Pahalgam attack, so I say play or don’t play. Don’t try to subscribe to either narrative through pretext or deception.”

Congress leader Rashid Alvi also questioned the propriety of participating in a cricket match after recent terror incidents.

“People who come to our country and commit terrorism, kill people and spread terror. How can we play any game, even cricket, with them, considering the kind of atrocities they committed in Pahalgam? Games are played with friends, not enemies,” he said.

“Certainly, if the Congress government had been in power, this struggle would not have been possible,” Alvi pointed out.

The criticism comes against the backdrop of strained diplomatic ties and heightened security concerns following the recent Pahalgam attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor.

Adding to the debate, questions have arisen during the customary pre-match handshakes.

The match will go ahead after Pakistan boycotted the match for the first time in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were excluded from the tournament after the team refused to travel to India to play their group matches.

Despite the political storm, the ICC and tournament organizers continue to emphasize the sporting and commercial significance of the match, one of the most watched cricket matches.

However, as the two unbeaten sides gear up for the tense encounter in Colombo, the political controversy surrounding the match underlines the deep sensitivities that continue to define sporting ties between India and Pakistan.

– Ends

With input from authorities