New Delhi, Aug. 19 -- With India set to face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia has said that the decision on whether the two nations should compete against each other in sporting events must be left to the government of India. However, he stressed that such a stand should apply across all sports and not just cricket.

"I feel that it should be left to the government to decide, but at the same time, it should not be selective. If they are not playing cricket between India and Pakistan, they should not be playing any other sport as well," Bhutia said.

He added that clarity from the government on the matter would help avoid confusion across different disciplines.

"I think it has to be a stand by...