Operation Sindoor: The Future Of Sports Between India-Pakistan

India’s calculated offensive across the Line of Control under Operation Sindoor has reignited diplomatic tension between the two arch-rivals, effectively extinguishing any immediate prospects of bilateral sporting ties between India and Pakistan. (More Cricket 카지노 사이트)

Since the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the nuclear-armed neighbours have only clashed at multinational sporting events. A brief thaw occurred in 2012 when the Pakistan national cricket team toured India for an ODI series.

But repeated border skirmishes and terrorist attacks, the most recent being the Pahalgam massacre, have ensured that the cricketing corridor remains sealed.

Despite both teams being pivotal members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the upcoming Asia Cup's venue and fixtures remain uncertain. With Operation Sindoor underlining India’s zero-tolerance stance on cross-border terrorism, cricket is once again a casualty of geopolitical reality.

The aftermath of Operation Sindoor has reaffirmed the strategic importance of the hybrid model agreed upon by the BCCI, PCB, and ICC — where India and Pakistan do not travel to each other’s territories even during ICC events.

The 2025 T20 World Cup, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will likely maintain this format, with any India-Pakistan matches scheduled in neutral venues.

India had previously opted out of travelling to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy, and all its matches were shifted to Dubai.

The recent escalation following the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Indian response will only harden these positions. As security remains a paramount concern, the ICC will be forced to accommodate political sensitivities while ensuring marquee contests are still played — just not in India or Pakistan.

Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), had earlier confirmed that their women’s team will not travel to India for the upcoming ODI World Cup scheduled from September 29 to October 26. Instead, they will play at a neutral venue, under the same hybrid model that was recently used in the men’s ICC Champions Trophy.

“Just like India didn’t play in Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and were allowed to play at a neutral venue, whatever venue is decided, we will play. When there is an agreement it has to be adhered to,” he said.

While Pakistan cruised through their qualifiers in Lahore, defeating the likes of West Indies, Ireland and Bangladesh, their main round fixtures in India are now unlikely to happen on Indian soil. The ICC is expected to announce an alternate venue shortly. With Australia defending their crown, the tournament now carries an additional layer of diplomatic weight.

Pakistan’s Olympic javelin star Arshad Nadeem turned down an invitation from India’s Neeraj Chopra to participate in the inaugural NC Classic in Bengaluru, citing clash with his training for the Asian Athletics Championships.

While Nadeem expressed gratitude for the invitation and acknowledged Chopra’s gesture of sporting camaraderie, his absence from the May 24 event may be seen through a political lens, especially as border relations worsen.

Operation Sindoor was not just a military manoeuvre; it triggered a domino effect of diplomatic clampdowns by India.

From suspending the Indus Waters Treaty to blocking prominent Pakistani social media handles, India has signalled its intent to isolate Pakistan on global platforms.

The lone land border at Attari has been shut, and diplomatic ties downgraded in a sweeping response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.