‘Never Play Against India’: Kamran Akmal Slams Asia Cup Trophy Row

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott matches against India in upcoming multi-nation tournaments, following the dramatic post-match fallout at the Asia Cup 2025 final.

India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final but refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi — who also heads the PCB and serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. The presentation ceremony was delayed by 45 minutes as Indian players stood firm in their protest, citing Naqvi’s repeated anti-India statements during the tournament.

Akmal lashed out at India’s actions, telling ARY News:

“PCB should immediately say we will never play against India. Let’s see what ICC does then. If other boards come together and say this is unacceptable, India won’t be able to dictate terms.”

He also demanded the creation of a neutral committee — excluding India and Pakistan — to examine the controversy.

Throughout the Asia Cup, tensions ran high. India had earlier refused to shake hands with Pakistan players after the Pahalgam terror attack, while Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf sledged Indian openers and Sahibzada Farhan celebrated a fifty with a “gun salute” gesture.

Akmal, however, insisted Pakistan bore no blame, accusing India of “cheap behaviour” and warning that the episode has “damaged cricket” and left India a “joke in the cricketing world.”