Renowned cricket broadcaster Ashish Roy has expressed disappointment over the recent Pakistan vs India Asia Cup 2025 match, saying the contest failed to live up to the true spirit of the game. His remarks have added weight to the growing criticism of how political tensions have seeped into cricket’s most celebrated rivalry.
“Not in the Spirit of Cricket”
According to Roy, the high-voltage encounter between Pakistan and India was overshadowed by off-field controversies rather than cricket itself. He drew a strong comparison to the era of apartheid, when non-white teams refused to play against South Africa in protest of racial discrimination.
“If a team participates in a tournament, it must behave according to the spirit of the game,” Roy said, stressing that politics and personal instructions should never dictate how players conduct themselves on the field.
Criticism of Indian Officials
Roy strongly criticized the Indian cricket authorities, accusing them of following government directives that resulted in questionable conduct during the match.
- He described it as “hypocrisy” that India agreed to play the fixture but instructed players not to shake hands with their opponents.
- He said such behavior damages cricket’s global reputation, especially in a rivalry watched by millions around the world.
A Call for Intervention
Ashish Roy also urged leading cricket bodies to step in and prevent further deterioration of relations in the game.
- He appealed directly to the England and Australia cricket boards and the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), asking them to safeguard cricket’s values.
- According to Roy, it is the responsibility of the guardians of the sport to ensure that political agendas do not override the Spirit of Cricket.
A Growing Concern for World Cricket
The broadcaster’s comments reflect a wider frustration among cricket lovers who believe the Pakistan-India rivalry should showcase the best of the sport, not political divides. With tensions already high following recent controversies involving match referee Andy Pycroft, Roy’s remarks highlight the urgent need for neutral cricketing institutions to take a firm stance.
