Ex-Pakistan Cricketers Enter Meltdown Mode After India Boycott Mohsin Naqvi: ‘Never Play Against…’ | Cricket News

Team India retained the Asia Cup title with their win over Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday in a tournament marred by controversy. India faced Pakistan thrice in the continental event and managed to emerge triumphant on all occasions; however refrained to partake in the customary handshake during all three encounters.

Former Pakistani players, including Kamran Akmal, Bazid Khan and Basit Ali, all lashed out at India’s actions and non-conformity to the norms during the Asia Cup.

Akmal urged the PCB to take a strong stance against competing against India and called for the boards of other cricketing nations to come together to address the issue of India’s domination of the sport.

“Pakistan board should immediately say that ‘we should never play against India’. Let’s see what action ICC takes. What else evidence do you need after this? But the BCCI person is leading the ICC – how will he take any action?”

“The other boards have to come together, say we can’t see this in cricket. Sports is not played at anyone’s home. If others don’t play them, then no money is going to come,” the former wicketkeeper continued.

“The earlier these things can be controlled, the better for everybody. A neutral body has to be formed without Pakistan and India, make a committee of Australian, South African, New Zealand and let them decide on what action to be taken about all that has happened in this tournament,” he said.

“These cheap behaviour we shall keep seeing from India. We have seen in this tournament they have done as much damage to cricket as they could. PCB and ACC president took the right stand – take the trophy or not, it will be given by the president only. India will become the joke of the cricketing world,” Akmal added.

Bazid Khan opined that the tension around the event was palpable and such actions were on the cards, but was surprised that it had transpired during a high-profile tournament.

“You generally had an idea that something of this kind would happen. But for the Asia Cup to happen that way, the very purpose of the Asia Cup is for all Asian teams to play together,” he said.

“On top of that, you specifically say that if this person gives the trophy, we will not take it. And you also see that the presidency of the Asia Cup is also on rotation basis. So its basic purpose was always that Asian teams play amongst themselves and then basically compete with teams from the rest of the world,” he explained.

“But now that purpose has been somewhat diluted. Diluted, or rather, it has ended because of the kind of things that are happening in cricket, in both teams, on the playing field, and after the match,” Khan explained.

“This is a never-ending thing. India is not shaking hands. I think if the Asia Cup is to be run this way, what message is going out to the world that you are playing the tournament. The animosity is only increasing. This has never happened before. The Indians don’t receive the cup,” he added.

Khan said that India’s decision to sway away from the norms of the game has left a bad aftertaste.

“It’s a very strange situation, I don’t understand it. If only money is involved, if it’s just that the financial stakes are very high, India will play, otherwise they won’t play, won’t even shake hands, won’t even accept a greeting, and we won’t take the trophy. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth.”

Ali seconded Akmal’s view of a neutral board, but touched up on the essence of the broadcasters, who value India as their biggest asset.

“All the boards have to come together and take action against India. But cricket is run on broadcasters. They get the most money from Pakistan and India. If Pakistan says we won’t play India, then the broadcasters will come to the road,” Ali said.

“Inside the ground, India have won, but outside it, they have lost. They might as well not come to play the tournament instead of doing all this. Who gets the infamy? Entire India, only. I know there are sensible people in India who will raise their voices,” he added.