Mumbai, August 20: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for announcing the Indian squad for the Asia Cup Cricket 2025, which includes a clash against Pakistan, despite the neighbouring country withdrawing from the upcoming Hockey Asia Cup hosted in India. BCCI Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar Reacts On Shubman Gill's Inclusion in Team India's Squad For Asia Cup 2025 As Vice-Captain, Says 'We Obviously See Leadership Qualities in Him' (Watch Video).

While Pakistan pulled out of the Hockey Asia Cup citing security concerns, the BCCI proceeded with finalising India's squad for the cricket tournament, which could see the arch-rivals face each other. Taking to her official X handle, Chaturvedi expressed her disapproval, saying.

Priyanka Chaturvedi Slams BCCI 

"Why isn't Pakistan coming? Why are they not participating? This is not clear to us. If they are citing security concerns, I can confidently say that security and all the arrangements in India are much better than in Pakistan,"  Hockey India Secretary General and Asian Hockey Federation Vice President Bhola Nath Singh said.

Singh, however, stressed that India's focus remains on successfully hosting the tournament and extending a warm welcome to all participating teams. Suryakumar Yadav Reflects on Shubman Gill’s Return to India’s Asia Cup 2025 Squad, Says ‘Happy To Have Him Back’ (Watch Video).

"Who is coming and who is not coming, we don't care about that. Whoever has qualified, whoever is coming, we welcome everyone to India," he noted.

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