Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday sharply criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he likened India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory to “Operation Sindoor,” a past Indian military action.
India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup final at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. However, political controversy overshadowed the sporting contest when the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who also serves as Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Despite pressure from Indian officials to avoid presenting the trophy himself, Naqvi stood firm. With the standoff unresolved, the Asia Cup trophy was ultimately sent to the ACC office instead of being handed over on stage.
Adding fuel to the tensions, Modi posted on X, drawing a parallel between India’s cricketing success and “Operation Sindoor.”
Responding strongly, Naqvi said:
“If war is your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at the hands of Pakistan. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game.”
