Punjab Kings’ Social Media Post Omitting Pakistan Ahead of Asia Cup Clash Sparks Debate

As anticipation builds for the India–Pakistan showdown in the Asia Cup 2025, Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings has stirred controversy with an unusual social media post. The team shared a promotional graphic for India’s upcoming match but conspicuously left out Pakistan’s name, referring to the fixture only as “IND v …”.

The omission immediately caught the attention of fans online, with many interpreting it as a symbolic boycott of Pakistan ahead of one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries. While India–Pakistan contests always carry immense emotional weight, Punjab Kings’ post amplified the charged atmosphere surrounding Sunday’s encounter in Dubai.

The franchise, perhaps anticipating backlash, swiftly disabled the comments section on the post. However, screenshots had already circulated widely across platforms, prompting a wave of reactions ranging from amusement to criticism. Some hailed the move as a show of solidarity with national sentiment, while others questioned whether a sports franchise should enter political territory.

The development comes amid broader debates over the India–Pakistan fixture itself. Earlier this week, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the Asia Cup clash, citing national security and public sentiment over cross-border tensions. The Court, however, declined to hear the plea on an urgent basis, allowing the high-profile match to go ahead as scheduled.

For Punjab Kings, the incident underscores the fine line IPL franchises tread between sports marketing and political sensitivity. While intended as a promotional move, the post has highlighted how deeply intertwined cricket and geopolitics remain in South Asia. With the match now just days away, the controversy has only added another layer of intrigue to an already high-voltage contest.