India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the Asia Cup on Sunday, marking the first cricket match between the two countries since their military clash earlier this year. But the game has sparked political controversy back home, with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioning the government’s decision to go ahead with the match despite ongoing tensions.

Owaisi, speaking to reporters after the match, said that while India should always aim to win — on the battlefield or on the cricket field — the idea of “victory” cannot include playing friendly matches with a country accused of supporting terror attacks on Indian soil.

“India should win everywhere, whether it's a cricket match or against terrorists,” he said. “But the standard of victory cannot be that you play games with those who are making our daughters widows and our children orphans.”

The latest round of hostilities between India and Pakistan in May left more than 70 people dead in missile, drone, and artillery exchanges before both sides agreed to step back after negotiations. The conflict was triggered by a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Owaisi criticised the BJP-led central government for what he called a contradiction between their words and actions.

Speaking at a public rally a day before the match, he asked: “Tell us — is the value of the lives of our 26 citizens more, or the money earned from the cricket match?”

He also reminded the audience that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in the past said that “blood and water cannot flow together” — referring to Indo-Pak relations — and that “terror and talks cannot go hand in hand.”

“How much money will the BCCI get from one cricket match — ₹2,000 crore, ₹3,000 crore?” Owaisi asked. “The BJP always talks about desh bhakti (patriotism), but when it comes to cricket matches, they get stumped and change their tune.”

Owaisi said his party, the AIMIM, continues to stand with the families of those killed in the Pahalgam attack, and that hosting a cricket match against Pakistan sends the wrong message.