Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi criticized the India team for their sportsmanship during the Asia Cup 2025, amid geopolitical tensions between the two nations. The Pakistan pace bowler said that his team would respond on the field when the sides meet at the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo.
The Asia Cup 2025 was overshadowed by on-field tensions between India and Pakistan. With political strain affecting relations, India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, chose not to shake hands with Pakistan players, a stance that continued across multiple matches, including women’s cricket between the two sides.
India Have Violated the Spirit of Sportsmanship – Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi said that his team had done nothing wrong in the no-handshake controversy. He blamed India for hurting the spirit of the game by refusing to shake hands. Shaheen added that cricket should remain separate from political issues and that Pakistan’s focus is only on playing the game.
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“Kuch aisa nahi hua. Cricket hai. Sportsman spirit thodi si alag hoti hai. Jo border ke log hain, unho ne sportsmanship ke khilaf kaam kiya. Lekin hamara kaam cricket khelna hai aur hum wohi focus kar rahe hain. Hum koshish karenge ke maidan mein jawab den.”
(Nothing like that happened. It’s cricket. The sportsman spirit is a bit different. The people across the border have violated the spirit of sportsmanship. But our job is to play cricket, and that’s what we’re focusing on. We will try to respond on the field.)
Shaheen Afridi on India behaviour in Asia Cup:
“People across the border have violated the spirit of sportsmanship. Our job is to play cricket, and that remains our focus. We will try to respond on the field.”#ShaheenAfridi #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/EWxiZXgJGJ— Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) January 7, 2026
Pakistan’s Struggles Against India in International Cricket
Pakistan have struggled against India in T20Is, losing their last five matches and managing only three wins in 15 meetings. Their last victory came in the 2021 T20 World Cup. In the Asia Cup, India won all three games against Pakistan, including the final in Dubai.
India are yet to receive the Asia Cup trophy after Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates refused to accept the title from Mohsin Naqvi, who serves as both the ACC chief and PCB chairman. The trophy remains at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, even as Pakistan players were handed their age-group trophies.
India and Pakistan are set to face each other again at the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The high-profile clash will take place on February 14 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with both teams continuing to play at neutral venues following the Champions Trophy 2025 controversy.
Shaheen Afridi’s Recovery Boosts World Cup Hopes
Shaheen Afridi is recovering well from a recent knee issue, easing concerns over his availability for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The injury occurred during the Big Bash League, but it is not considered serious, and his recovery is progressing well under PCB supervision.
Shaheen suffered a major knee injury in 2021 while fielding in Galle, which ruled him out for several months. In 2022, he injured the same knee again in Sri Lanka, missing a large part of the season and the early matches of that year’s T20 World Cup. Although he returned later, he was not fully fit in the final.
His Big Bash League stint with Brisbane Heat ended early after four matches. He picked up two wickets and conceded over 11 runs per over. Despite these setbacks, Shaheen remains an important player for Pakistan, having finished last year as the team’s third-highest wicket-taker in T20Is.
Also read: Shaheen Afridi injury update: Pakistan confident of T20 World Cup fitness
