Shaheen Afridi Accuses India of Poor Sportsmanship, Issues Warning Ahead of T20 World Cup

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has accused India of violating the spirit of sportsmanship during their high-voltage encounters at the Asia Cup 2025, reigniting debate over the increasingly strained on-field relationship between the two cricketing rivals.

Speaking at a media interaction in Lahore, Shaheen alleged that India’s conduct during the continental tournament reflected poor sporting behaviour and created negative optics around the game. His remarks come months after the Asia Cup but ahead of the much-anticipated India–Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place in Colombo on February 15.

“People across the border violated the spirit of sportsmanship,” Shaheen said, adding that Pakistan’s focus remains on responding through performance rather than words. His comments have added fresh intrigue to the World Cup meeting between the two sides, a fixture that consistently attracts global attention.

The Asia Cup 2025 was marked by repeated flashpoints between the teams. Throughout the tournament, Indian players declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, both before and after matches. The move was initiated by India captain Suryakumar Yadav and followed by the rest of the squad, reflecting the tense diplomatic backdrop that continues to shape bilateral sporting exchanges.

However, tensions were not one-sided. Several Pakistani players attracted criticism for provocative on-field gestures during the tournament. Fast bowler Haris Rauf was fined after making a “jet crashing” celebration, while batter Sahibzada Farhan faced sanctions for mimicking a rifle-firing gesture. Both incidents were deemed breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct and contributed to the breakdown of sporting decorum.

The controversy peaked after India’s dramatic victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final. The post-match ceremony descended into chaos when India declined to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who was serving as Asian Cricket Council president at the time. The awards presentation was cut short, and reports suggested the trophy was not formally handed over, highlighting the extent to which off-field tensions had overshadowed the sporting contest.

The episode drew criticism from former West Indies captain Jason Holder, who described the India–Pakistan standoff as damaging to the game. Speaking on a cricket podcast, Holder called the Asia Cup drama “ugly” and urged both teams to use sport as a platform for easing tensions rather than escalating them.

India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral cricket series since the 2012–13 season, with their encounters limited to multinational tournaments such as the Asia Cup and World Cups. Even these meetings are increasingly shaped by political undercurrents, leading to controversies that extend beyond the boundary lines.

As the countdown to the T20 World Cup 2026 continues, Shaheen Afridi’s remarks have ensured that the rivalry remains firmly in the spotlight. Whether the focus shifts back to cricketing excellence or continues to be dominated by off-field friction will be closely watched when the two sides meet again on the global stage.