The Under-19 Asia Cup final has triggered a fresh controversy, with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi strongly criticizing the conduct of Indian players. Naqvi alleged that the Indian youngsters behaved in an unsporting manner during the match and attempted to provoke Pakistani players on the field.
Speaking after the final, Naqvi said sports and politics should remain separate. He warned that the lack of sportsman spirit during the match was unacceptable and announced that the PCB would formally report the incident to the International Cricket Council (ICC). His remarks have now sparked a wider debate in cricketing circles.
Sarfaraz Ahmed Joins the Criticism
Pakistan Under-19 team mentor and former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed also lashed out at the Indian team. He claimed India’s behavior went against the spirit of the game. Sarfaraz said Pakistan celebrated its victory with dignity, while Indian players failed to show basic courtesy on the field.
He further recalled a previous Asia Cup incident in which the Indian team reportedly refused to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, adding fuel to the ongoing dispute between the two boards.
Handshake Controversy After the Match
The controversy mainly revolves around the Indian players not shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts after the match. With strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan, especially following recent border tensions and security operations, the impact of political friction appears to have spilled over into cricket.
A similar incident had earlier occurred at the senior level when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. Pakistan officials now claim the junior team followed the same approach, which has angered the PCB.
Pakistan Dominates the Final
On the field, Pakistan delivered a dominant performance in the final held in Dubai. Chasing a massive target of 348 runs, India collapsed for just 156. Pakistan clinched the title with a commanding 191-run victory.
India had defeated Pakistan in the league stage, but the pressure of the final proved too much. While the heavy defeat drew attention, the growing “cold war” between the two teams has now become the bigger talking point in world cricket.
Also read this: Rashid Khan Reveals Why He Uses a Bulletproof Car in Kabul
