Politics in Cricket: Power Plays in Pakistan Cricket

Politics in Sports? Pakistan’s Defence Minister Responds to Indo-Pak Cricket Relations

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has criticized India for bringing politics into sports, saying that such actions are damaging not only the spirit of sportsmanship but also the overall cricket culture across the region.

Criticism of Modi Government

In his statement, Khawaja Asif said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is sacrificing opportunities for peace and conflict resolution in South Asia just to save his politics.
He remarked that “dignity and respect cannot be restored through a warlike attitude.”
According to him, the record of six-nil defeats for India against Pakistan in cricket and other fields has already been written in history.
The Defence Minister further added that Modi’s policies are bringing embarrassment not only to India but also on the global stage.

Violation of Sportsmanship at the Asia Cup

It is worth mentioning that during the recent Asia Cup, the Indian cricket team failed to demonstrate the expected level of sportsmanship.
Refusing to shake hands with Pakistani players and avoiding a joint trophy photo with the Pakistani captain before the final were among the most notable examples of this unsporting behavior.

Delay During Trophy Ceremony

After the final match, the Indian team reportedly refused to receive the trophy from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, which caused an unusual delay in the award ceremony held at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Conclusion

Bringing politics into sports not only damages the culture of cricket but also affects bilateral relations between Pakistan and India.
Experts believe that such attitudes are raising concerns about the future of Asian cricket, leaving millions of fans disappointed and disheartened.