Pakistan-Warns-India-Keep-Politics-Out-of-Cricket

Pakistan Warns India: Keep Politics Out of Cricket

As Pakistan prepares to face India in the upcoming Asia Cup Super Four match on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has raised serious concerns. Officials have urged that cricket must not be turned into a political battleground and stressed that the contest should remain within the true spirit of the game.

Tensions From the Previous Encounter

The call comes after a heated first-round clash between the two rivals, where India secured a win, but controversies overshadowed the match.

  • At the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav avoided shaking hands with his Pakistani counterpart.
  • At the end of the match, the Indian players also refrained from the traditional post-match handshake with Pakistan’s cricketers.
  • Yadav further sparked debate by making political remarks during a media interaction.

Adding to the controversy, match referee Andy Pycroft’s conduct was deemed biased by Pakistan, leading to an official complaint lodged with the International Cricket Council (ICC). PCB even threatened a boycott unless the referee was replaced. The Pakistan–UAE match that followed was delayed by an hour until Pycroft issued an apology and the ICC promised an inquiry.

PCB’s Demand for Neutral Officiating

According to sources, PCB has asked ICC to instruct match officials beforehand to avoid any political controversies during the Super Four clash. The board emphasized that cricket should not be dragged into political agendas. While acknowledging that Pakistan’s players are not eager to engage in handshakes with India, PCB insisted that all protocols must be communicated clearly to both sides in advance.

As of now, match officials for the Super Four stage have not been confirmed. Alongside Andy Pycroft, Richie Richardson is also on the panel, and there is an option to appoint him as the referee for the high-voltage Pakistan–India encounter.

Team Management’s Focus on Cricket

Pakistan’s team management has directed players to avoid off-field distractions and concentrate solely on performance. The message is clear: let the bat and ball do the talking, and silence critics with victory on the field.

Captain Salman Ali Agha’s Assessment

Captain Salman Ali Agha, who recently led Pakistan to victory over the UAE, expressed confidence ahead of the Super Four stage.

  • He admitted that Pakistan’s middle-order batting remains an area of concern and needs immediate improvement.
  • The team has consistently been restricted to totals around 150 runs, and he believes they must push towards 170 if they want to dominate stronger opponents.
  • Salman praised Shaheen Afridi’s growing contribution with the bat, alongside his consistent brilliance with the ball. He also highlighted young pacer Saim’s ability to swing games back in Pakistan’s favor.

The skipper added that Pakistan’s form over the past four months has been strong and, if maintained, could make them one of the toughest teams to beat in the tournament.

The Bigger Picture

The Pakistan–India rivalry has always been about more than just cricket, often carrying political and emotional weight. PCB’s proactive demand to keep politics out of the sport reflects its determination to protect the spirit of cricket. With the Super Four clash looming, fans worldwide are bracing for yet another chapter in one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.


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