Shaheen Afridi Calls Out Politicisation of Cricket
Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has raised serious concerns over what he described as a lack of sportsman spirit in Indian cricket. His remarks come amid growing criticism of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for allowing politics to influence the game.
Speaking to the media in Lahore on Wednesday, Shaheen Afridi said cricket should remain separate from political disputes. He stated that India has repeatedly dragged politics into sports, especially in matches involving Pakistan. He added that such actions harm the spirit of the game and damage cricket’s global image.
Afridi pointed to recent incidents that have raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. One major controversy involved the BCCI instructing Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to release Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. The decision reportedly came amid rising political tensions between India and Bangladesh.
Shaheen said Pakistan has always responded to such situations through performance on the field. He stressed that the Green Shirts believe in letting cricket speak rather than engaging in off-field controversies.
Asia Cup Final Sparks International Backlash
Former West Indies captain Jason Holder also criticised India’s conduct, calling recent actions “too much” for the sport. During an online discussion with cricket analyst Grace Hayden, Holder expressed disappointment over the Asia Cup 2025 final controversy.
Holder recalled that India won the Asia Cup but did not step onto the stage to receive the trophy. The trophy was to be presented by Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as both Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Asian Cricket Council president.
Cricket observers also noted that Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani players during the Men’s Asia Cup last year. Similar scenes were witnessed during the Women’s World Cup match between India and Pakistan, where customary post-match handshakes were skipped.
Holder said such scenes were deeply saddening for fans and players alike. He added that cricket should unite nations rather than divide them. According to him, political statements and symbolic gestures have no place in sports.
Moeen Ali and Bangladesh Raise Wider Concerns
Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali also weighed in on the issue. He criticised the International Cricket Council for favouring certain boards while sidelining others. Without naming India directly, he said everyone knows who truly controls global cricket.
Moeen expressed regret over Mustafizur Rahman’s removal from the IPL. He said such incidents have happened for years and often go unnoticed. He added that Pakistan has faced similar treatment in the past, but concerns were largely ignored.
Moeen also defended Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament is set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. He said Bangladesh should not be blamed for prioritising player safety.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has officially stated that it will not send its team to India due to security and well-being concerns. The board has requested the ICC to shift Bangladesh’s matches to a neutral venue outside India.
These developments have intensified debate over fairness, neutrality, and governance in international cricket. Many former players believe urgent reforms are needed to protect the spirit of the game.
