Kamran Akmal Urges PCB to Refuse Matches Against India After Asia Cup Controversy

Karachi | September 30, 2025 Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider playing against India in upcoming multi-nation tournaments, following a heated post-match incident during the Asia Cup 2025 final. The remarks come after India’s refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as both the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and PCB, at the presentation ceremony. Pakistan lost the final to India by five wickets, but tensions escalated during the trophy presentation, which was delayed by 45 minutes due to India’s stance. Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister, has faced criticism for expressing anti-India sentiments on social media throughout the tournament. During the group stage, he reportedly requested the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft following the no-handshake incident between the two sides. Akmal described India’s actions as “cheap behaviour” and said that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and ICC leadership were unlikely to take any corrective measures. “Pakistan board should immediately say that ‘we should never play against India.’ Let’s see what action ICC takes. The other boards have to come together and say we cannot allow this in cricket. Sport is not played at anyone’s home,” Akmal told ARY News. He suggested the formation of a neutral panel comprising members from Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand to independently review the Asia Cup 2025 incidents and recommend actions. According to Akmal, India consistently crossed boundaries during the tournament while Pakistan maintained a professional approach. The former wicketkeeper highlighted several instances of tension throughout the event. During the group stage, Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. In the Super 4 stage, sledging between Pakistan pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf and India’s top-order batsmen Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma further intensified hostilities. Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan also drew attention with his gunshot-style celebration after scoring a half-century. Despite these provocations, Akmal praised Pakistan’s response, including the ACC president’s stance on the trophy presentation. “This cheap behaviour from India was visible throughout the tournament. They have done as much damage to cricket as they could, but Pakistan handled it correctly. Taking or refusing the trophy was the right decision, and India has only made themselves look ridiculous,” he said. Akmal’s comments have reignited debate within Pakistani cricketing circles about the long-standing rivalry with India and the role of neutral oversight in multi-nation tournaments. The Asia Cup controversy has not only highlighted tensions on the field but also brought governance and fairness in cricket administration under scrutiny. As discussions continue, the PCB and other cricket boards are expected to review Akmal’s recommendations, with the broader aim of maintaining decorum, fairness, and sportsmanship in international cricket. Kamran Akmal Urges PCB to Stop Playing Against India After Asia Cup Row Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board to refuse matches against India following the Asia Cup 2025 final controversy. India won the final by five wickets but refused to accept the trophy from ACC and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, delaying the ceremony by 45 minutes. Akmal described India’s actions as “cheap behaviour” and suggested forming a neutral committee to review the tournament. Highlighting tensions in group and Super 4 matches, he praised Pakistan for handling the situation professionally while warning that India’s conduct has damaged the spirit of cricket.