I am ashamed: 1983 World Cup winner lambasts Team India for mixing politics with cricket at Asia Cup
1983 World Cup winner Syed Kirmani criticised the lack of sporting spirit between India and Pakistan during the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025.
Former India wicket-keeper Syed Kirmani has criticised the lack of sporting spirit in cricket as he lambasted the Indian team for mixing politics with cricket at the recently concluded Asia Cup 2025. The Asia Cup was marred by multiple controversies as tensions flared up between India and Pakistan on and off the field.
India clinched the title after beating Pakistan by 5 wickets in a thrilling final. However, their victory was overshadowed by the drama off the field after the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the chief of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and an interior minister of Pakistan.
The Indian team decided not to accept the trophy from Naqvi to maintain their policy of no handshakes or engagements with their Pakistani counterparts during the tournament. Naqvi, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), is known for his anti-India stance and had shared a provocative post on social media ahead of the final.
India's boycott of Naqvi at the post-match presentation resulted in them celebrating without the trophy, as it was not handed over to the team. Besides the trophy drama after the final, the entire tournament saw off-field controversies making more headlines than the cricket.
While the Indian team refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players, some of the Pakistan cricketers resorted to using provocative gestures on the field during the India-Pakistan matches.
Sharing his thoughts on what unfolded during the tournament, Kirmani said there is no 'gentlemanliness' left in the game. The 1983 World Cup winner said he was ashamed to hear some of the messages that he received from his friends, criticising the behaviour of both teams.
"The way cricket is being played all around, there has been no gentlemanliness in the game. There have been very rude, arrogant gestures on the field. I'm getting messages from all over: 'The Indian team has done what? What politics is going on in the field?' I'm ashamed to listen to the comments," Kirmani told ANI.
"What's happened to the current era of cricketers? What has happened at the Asia Cup is disgusting.' These are the words that have come onto my messages," he added.
Do not relate your wins to politics: Kirmani
Recalling his playing days, Kirmani opened up on the India-Pakistan rivalry at the time and said players from both sides used to share great camaraderie between them. He also highlighted how players from both sides rose above political tensions between the two countries to play the game with the right sporting spirit.
"Whatever has transpired away from the sporting field, leave it there itself. Don't relate it to your winnings or to whatever you are earning from this great game of cricket. Don't dedicate it to noble causes. Any noble cause is quite understandable, but do not relate it to politics," said Kirmani.
"In our time, cricketers had such wonderful camaraderie – Pakistani players coming to India, us going to Pakistan. What hospitality, what love, what affection. I have to put my head down as a cricketer," he added.
India and Pakistan played thrice in the tournament, with India winning all three matches in a row to extend their dominance against the arch-rivals in T20Is. India have lost only three matches against Pakistan in T20Is, while winning 13 out of the 16 matches between the two sides.