Amid geopolitical tensions between the two countries, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi criticized the Indian team for their sportsmanship during the Asia Cup 2025. The Pakistan fast bowler said that his team will respond on the field when both the teams face each other in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo.
There was a shadow of tension on the field between India and Pakistan during Asia Cup 2025. With political tensions affecting relations, India under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav decided not to shake hands with Pakistan players, a stance that continued in several matches between the two sides, including women’s cricket.
India has violated the spirit of the game – Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen Afridi said that his team has done nothing wrong in the no handshake controversy. He accused India of hurting the spirit of the game by refusing to shake hands. Shaheen said that cricket should stay away from political issues and Pakistan’s focus is only on playing the game.
“Nothing like this happened. This is cricket. The spirit of the game is a little different. Those who are from the border, they acted against the spirit of the game. But our job is to play cricket and that is what we are focusing on. We will try to respond on the field.”
(Nothing like this happened. This is cricket. The spirit of the game is a little different. People from across the border have violated the spirit of the game. But our job is to play cricket and that is what we are focusing on. We will try to respond on the field.)
Shaheen Afridi on India’s behavior in Asia Cup:
“People across the border have violated the spirit of the game. Our job is to play cricket and that is our focus. We will try to respond on the field.”#ShaheenAfridi #PAKvIND pic.twitter.com/EWxiZXgJGJ– Shakeel Khan Khattak (@ShakeelktkKhan) 7 January 2026
Pakistan’s struggle against India in international cricket
Pakistan have struggled against India in T20Is, losing their last five matches and managing only three wins in 15 encounters. Their last win was in the 2021 T20 World Cup. In the Asia Cup, India won all three games including the final against Pakistan 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 is kept at the ACC headquarters in Dubai, while Pakistan players were handed their age-group trophies.
India and Pakistan will face each other once again in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The high-profile clash will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 14, with both the 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 his recent knee problem, easing concerns over his availability for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The injury occurred during the Big Bash League, but is not considered serious and his recovery is going well under the supervision of the PCB.
Shaheen suffered a major knee injury while fielding in Galle in 2021, due to which he was out for several months. In 2022, he injured the same knee again in Sri Lanka, missing a large part of the season and the opening matches of that year’s T20 World Cup. Although he returned later, he was not completely fit in the final.
His Big Bash League stint with Brisbane Heat ended early after four matches. He took two wickets and gave more than 11 runs per over. Despite these setbacks, Shaheen remains an important player for Pakistan, finishing as the team’s third-highest wicket-taker in T20Is last year.
Also read: Shaheen Afridi’s injury update: Pakistan confident of fitness for T20 World Cup
