BCCI Urged to End India-Pakistan Cricket Ties After Pahalgam Terror Attack

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is under intense pressure to stop all cricket matches with Pakistan following a horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 people. Former Indian cricketer Shreevats Goswami has been vocal in this demand, urging the BCCI to cut ties completely, saying the attack shows Pakistan’s hostility.

Goswami pushed back against those who believe sports should stay separate from politics in a heartfelt post on X. “When innocent people are killed, that’s not a game. We need to stand strong and say enough is enough, not play cricket,” he wrote. His comments come as India has already refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to safety concerns, a decision that’s stirred up a lot of debate.

The Pahalgam attack, blamed on The Resistance Front (TRF), a group tied to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has left India angry and grieving. Pakistan has denied any role, but the tragedy has hit the sports world hard. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla clarified that India won’t play a bilateral series with Pakistan, in line with the government’s position. “We’re done with bilateral games, but ICC tournaments are different,” Shukla told Sports Tak.

The BCCI honoured the victims during the IPL 2025 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians. Players wore black armbands and observed a moment of silence. Fireworks and cheerleaders were cancelled out of respect.

Goswami, who recently visited Pahalgam for the Legends League, shared his heartbreak, saying he thought the area was finally finding peace. Other sports stars, like Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, also spoke out, demanding justice for the victims.

With growing calls to end India-Pakistan cricket, the BCCI’s next moves are unclear. The upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup in India could put the board’s stance to the test, as fans and players alike wait to see what happens.