THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Geopolitics
Cricket has always been called the “gentleman’s game.” This name comes from the sport’s long tradition of fair play, respect, and good manners. Players shake hands before matches begin and after they end. Winners accept their trophies with grace. Opponents show respect to each other, no matter how fierce the competition. These simple acts are not just customs – they are the heart of what makes cricket special.
But today, September 28, 2025, at the Asia Cup final, we witnessed the death of these beautiful traditions.
What Happened at the Asia Cup 2025
Throughout this tournament, India refused to shake hands with Pakistan. Not at the start of matches. Not at the end. This was not a spontaneous decision made in the heat of the moment. India’s captain openly said this was planned with their cricket board and government.
The most shocking moment came after India won the final. Instead of accepting their hard-earned trophy from the Asian Cricket Council chairman, they refused. The ceremony was delayed for over an hour. A winning team would not take their trophy from the tournament organizer simply because of who was presenting it.
The Real Casualty: Cricket’s Soul
Cricket between India and Pakistan has always been special. These matches produce incredible skill, passion, and some of the most exciting cricket in the world. Hundreds of millions of fans watch with their hearts racing. The rivalry should make cricket better, not destroy it.
But when politics enters the field, cricket loses its magic. When teams cannot follow basic protocols like shaking hands or accepting trophies, they are saying that political differences matter more than the sport itself.
Young cricketers watching these matches do not see role models showing sportsmanship. They see adults acting like children who refuse to be polite to each other. They learn that winning means nothing if you cannot celebrate with dignity.
A Simple Question
If you cannot shake hands with your opponent, why play at all? If you cannot accept a trophy from tournament officials, why compete in their tournament? These are not difficult things to do. They are simple acts of respect that every school cricket team manages to perform.
The answer is becoming clear: India and Pakistan can no longer play cricket against each other while maintaining cricket’s values.
The Way Forward
Cricket lovers around the world must ask a hard question: Is it better to have India-Pakistan cricket that destroys the sport’s reputation, or no India-Pakistan cricket at all?
The current situation gives us the worst of both worlds. We get exciting cricket, but it comes poisoned with behavior that embarrasses the sport. Every handshake refused, every ceremony disrupted, every protocol abandoned teaches fans that sportsmanship is optional.
Perhaps it is time for these two cricket powers to stop playing each other until they can remember how to be cricketers first and politicians second. Cricket would lose a great rivalry, but it would save its soul.
Conclusion
Today marked a sad day for cricket. The gentleman’s game died a little more with each refused handshake and each ceremony turned into a political statement. The real lovers of cricket – the fans who just want to see great sport played with respect and dignity – deserve better.
Cricket has given India and Pakistan so much joy over the years. It has united people, created heroes, and provided unforgettable moments. The least these nations can do in return is treat the game with the respect it deserves.
Until they can do that, perhaps it is better they do not play at all.
