Every Sunday, the ‘Weekend ka Vaar’ episode, hosted by Salman Khan, is broadcast, consistently captivating viewers. The show is available on JioHotstar and airs on Colors TV. Meanwhile, the India-Pakistan match is being streamed live on the Sony LIV app and the Sony Sports Network.

It would not be surprising if the Asia Cup 2025 final surpasses Bigg Boss 19 in ratings and overall viewership, though potential boycott calls could affect these numbers. The India versus Pakistan match consistently sets viewership records. However, it is uncertain if the Asia Cup 2025 match will achieve the same viewership as previous encounters. While JioHotstar has a larger reach, matching Bigg Boss 19’s audience might be challenging for SonyLIV, especially considering the calls to boycott the India versus Pakistan match. The actual impact will be revealed by whether viewers choose to participate in the boycott or not.

The boycott calls for the India versus Pakistan match emerged following the ongoing tensions between the two nations, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

In related news, Awez Darbar was recently eliminated from ‘Bigg Boss 19’. Currently, the show features 14 remaining contestants.

This match marks the first time the two nations will face each other since the attack, sparking considerable criticism. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia stated that India must play Pakistan due to government policy. He also emphasized the importance of the match to maintain India’s bid to host the 2030 Olympics.

Public sentiment is divided. While some encourage watching the match in the spirit of sportsmanship, many are angered by the decision to proceed. Reports indicate that ticket sales for the India versus Pakistan match have gone unsold for the first time ever.

Both teams are on different trajectories. India, having won the T20 World Cup, has maintained its dominance despite incorporating new players. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been experiencing instability and struggles to improve its performance following a disappointing World Cup showing.

Both teams secured convincing wins in their initial matches. India defeated the UAE, dismissing them for just 57 runs, achieving the target in 27 balls with 9 wickets in hand. Pakistan triumphed over Oman by 93 runs, restricting them to 67 runs with their spin attack, although their batting performance struggled to reach 160. The Indian bowling attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Hardik Pandya, poses a significant challenge for the Pakistani batsmen.

India holds a superior record against Pakistan in the T20 format. India has won 10 out of the 13 matches played, dating back to their tied match in the 2007 T20 World Cup, which India won in a bowl-out. Pakistan has only secured 3 victories, with two of them occurring in the last four years. Pakistan’s last win against India in this format was in the 2022 Asia Cup.

The playing eleven is a topic of major interest. Both teams fielded similar playing elevens in their opening matches in Dubai. Both sides included a key fast bowler (Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi), while an all-rounder (Hardik Pandya and Faheem Ashraf) played the role of the second seamer. The spin bowlers played a crucial role for both teams. It remains to be seen if India and Pakistan will employ similar strategies against each other.

Tickets sales have also become a concern. Several political parties and social organizations in India are protesting the match. Some have announced street protests, while social media personalities and influencers have urged people not to watch the match. Organizers in Dubai are facing challenges as ticket sales haven’t fully materialized. With only 50% of tickets sold two days before the match, high ticket prices may result in empty seats at Dubai International Stadium.

The signatories of the letter include British artists like Olivia Colman, Riz Ahmed, Tilda Swinton, as well as Mark Ruffalo and Emma Stone from the United States, and Gael García Bernal from Mexico. Several progressive Jewish artists are also part of this campaign, who have long been vocal in their support for Palestine.

The letter states that the actors will not work with Israeli film festivals, cinemas, broadcasting companies, and production houses involved in the oppression, racism, and genocide against Palestinians. The artists say that this boycott is inspired by the movement of artists against racial discrimination in South Africa.

Israeli film festivals such as the Jerusalem Film Festival, Haifa International Film Festival, Docaviv, and TLVfest are mentioned in the letter. They are accused of working with the Israeli government. These institutions do not recognize the rights of Palestinians and are directly involved in their oppression.

The boycotting artists state that their aim is not to target Israeli artists but to oppose the organizations that support this violence and atrocity. Where human rights are concerned, art and culture cannot be separated from politics.

Many artists, writers, and musicians from around the world have also openly opposed the government of Israel. They are pressuring the government to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They are demanding that the people of Gaza receive essential relief and security.

The Israeli government has denied the allegations of genocide in Gaza. Israel claims it is taking action while keeping the safety of civilians in mind. Hamas terrorists hide in civilian areas, which makes the situation difficult. They are only targeting terrorists.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 64,500 Palestinians have been killed since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, while over 163,000 people have been injured. More than 1,200 Israeli citizens have died, and over 250 people were taken hostage.