Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has strongly responded to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media post celebrating India’s victory in the 2025 Asia Cup final against Pakistan.
Modi had congratulated his team on X (formerly Twitter), referencing “Operation Sandur” while hailing India’s win. Naqvi, however, dismissed Modi’s comments, saying no cricket match can erase the historical reality of India’s defeats at the hands of Pakistan.
“History Has Recorded Your Defeats”
In his statement, Naqvi reminded Modi that history has already preserved the memory of India’s humiliating losses in past conflicts. He stressed that dragging war into the world of sports only highlights helplessness rather than strength.
Naqvi wrote that India had tarnished the true spirit of the game by mixing political and military rhetoric with cricket. He added that the pain of past battlefield losses to Pakistan is something India’s leadership has not forgotten, no matter the outcome on the cricket field.
Trophy Controversy Adds to Tensions
The Asia Cup final in Dubai was already surrounded by controversy. While India defeated Pakistan in a thrilling contest, the post-match events created headlines of their own. The Indian cricket team refused to accept the winner’s trophy from ACC Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, despite their victory.
According to reports, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) formally informed the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) about its refusal to accept the trophy. As a result, the presentation ceremony was cut short, and the trophy was taken back from the ground.
Cricket and Politics Collide
Naqvi’s response highlights the growing politicization of cricket between the two countries. His remarks underline that, in his view, India’s attempt to frame the win as more than just a sporting achievement undermines the game’s spirit.
He reiterated that no cricket result can change historical truths, stressing that Pakistan’s past victories remain an unalterable fact.
Final Word
The Asia Cup 2025 may have ended with India lifting the title, but the aftermath has shifted attention from the scoreboard to the political crossfire between Islamabad and New Delhi. For fans, the incident raises questions about whether cricket can still remain separate from politics in one of the world’s most intense sporting rivalries.
