Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal has strongly criticized the Indian Cricket Team, claiming their actions during the Asia Cup 2025 caused significant damage to the spirit of the game. He has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider playing against India and suggested that other cricket boards should unite against India in light of their conduct during the tournament.
The controversy escalated after India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Following the victory, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as PCB chairman and a minister in Pakistan’s government. Naqvi subsequently left with the trophy, preventing the champions from taking possession of it.
The tensions had begun earlier in the tournament, when Indian players declined to shake hands with Pakistan players during their group stage encounter.
“We Should Never Play Against India”: Kamran Akmal Calls on PCB for Immediate Action
Former Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to stop playing cricket against India immediately. Speaking on ARY News, Kamran Akmal also called for other cricket boards to unite and boycott India.
“Pakistan’s board should immediately declare that ‘we should never play against India.’ Let’s see what action the ICC takes. What more evidence do you need after this? But the ICC is led by a BCCI official—how can he (Jay Shah) take any action? Other boards must come together and say enough is enough. Sport shouldn’t be played at anyone’s home. If they don’t play India, no money will come,” Kamran Akmal said.
He added, “The sooner these issues are controlled, the better for everyone. A neutral body, excluding Pakistan and India, should be formed—Australians, South Africans, and New Zealanders, for instance—to decide what action should be taken regarding everything that happened in this tournament.”
Kamran Akmal also criticized India’s conduct during the Asia Cup 2025, claiming it caused significant harm to cricket and warning that such behavior may continue.
“This kind of cheap behaviour from India will keep happening. In this tournament, they did as much damage to cricket as possible. The PCB and ACC president took the right stand—whether the trophy is awarded or not, it’s up to the president. India risks becoming a joke in the cricketing world,” he added.
The controversy began when the PCB filed a complaint against Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav for dedicating India’s group-stage win over Pakistan to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack, accusing him of politicizing cricket. Suryakumar pleaded not guilty and was reportedly fined 30% of his match fees.
Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) lodged complaints against Shahibzada Farhan and Haris Rauf for provocative gestures during the Super Four clash. Rauf was fined 30% of his match fees, while Farhan received a strict warning.
