Pakistan quick bowler Shaheen Afridi criticized the sportsmanship of the Indian crew in the course of the 2025 Asian Cup amid geopolitical tensions between the 2 international locations. The Pakistan tempo bowler mentioned his crew will reply on the sphere when the 2 sides meet within the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in Colombo.
The 2025 Asia Cup has been overshadowed by on-field tensions between India and Pakistan. With political tensions affecting relations, Suryakumar Yadav’s India opted to not shake arms with Pakistani gamers, a stance that continued throughout a number of matches, together with girls’s cricket, between the 2 international locations.
India is violating the spirit of sportsmanship – Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi mentioned his crew had carried out nothing fallacious within the handshake controversy. He accused India of wounding the spirit of the match by refusing to shake arms. Shaheen added that cricket must be stored separate from political points and Pakistan is simply targeted on the sport of cricket.
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“That did not occur. The cricket is there. The sportsmanship is slightly totally different. The individuals who have come to the border have engaged in unsportsmanlike actions. However our job is to play cricket and we’re targeted on that. We are going to attempt to reply on the sphere.”
(Nothing like that occurred. It is cricket. The spirit of sportsmanship is slightly totally different. Individuals throughout the border have violated the spirit of sportsmanship. However our job is to play cricket and that is what we deal with. We attempt to reply on the sphere.)
Shaheen Afridi on India’s habits in Asia Cup:
“Individuals throughout the border are violating the spirit of sportsmanship. Our job is to play cricket and that continues to be our focus. We are going to attempt to reply on the sphere.”#shaheen afridi #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/EWxiZXgJGJ— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) January 7, 2026
Pakistan’s wrestle in opposition to India in worldwide cricket
Pakistan has struggled in opposition to India in T20Is, shedding their final 5 matches and profitable simply three from 15 matches. Their final win got here within the 2021 T20 World Cup. Within the Asia Cup, India received all three matches in opposition to Pakistan, together with the ultimate in Dubai.
India is but to obtain the Asia Cup trophy as Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates refused to just accept the title from ACC Secretary and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. After the age group trophies had been handed over to the Pakistan gamers, the trophies stay on the ACC headquarters in Dubai.
India and Pakistan are scheduled to face one another once more within the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. The high-profile conflict will happen on February 14 at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, with each groups persevering with to play at impartial grounds following the Champions Trophy 2025 controversy.
Shaheen Afridi’s restoration raises hopes for World Cup
Shaheen Afridi has not too long ago made a very good restoration from his knee drawback, allaying issues about his availability for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Though the damage occurred in the course of the Huge Bash League, it’s not thought-about critical and his restoration is progressing nicely below the supervision of the PCB.
Shaheen suffered a critical knee damage whereas defending in purpose in 2021, which sidelined him for a number of months. In 2022, he injured the identical knee once more in Sri Lanka, inflicting him to overlook many of the season and the start of that 12 months’s T20 World Cup. Though he later returned, he was not in excellent situation for the ultimate.
His Huge Bash League contract with Brisbane Warmth ended prematurely after 4 video games. He took two wickets and conceded over 11 runs per over. Regardless of these setbacks, Shaheen stays an vital participant for Pakistan, ending because the crew’s third-highest wicket-taker in T20Is final 12 months.
Additionally learn: Shaheen Afridi damage replace: Pakistan assured of T20 World Cup health
