Former Pakistan great Wasim Akram has criticized ‘politics’ in cricket and said players should not be selected on the basis of their nationality or any other intention. Instead, players should be selected from each country, regardless of who is the captain.
The increasing tension between the two teams India and Pakistan has arisen after the 2025 Asia Cup. Both the boards have created cross-border politics and war-like situation in the game of cricket.,
Wasim Akram believes ‘politics’ should be kept away from cricket
Recently, Wasim Akram was asked in an interview what he doesn’t like about cricket nowadays, and the former Pakistan captain declared that it is the unwanted interference of politics in cricket that he feels disgusted by.
Wasim Akram said, “What I don’t like in cricket is politics”I’m sorry, sports should be kept away from politics.”
Cricket and politics have now become mixed. Pakistan had to bear the brunt of diplomacy when India humiliated them around the world by their franchise team, India Champions, withdrawing from participating in a game against Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends.
BCCI had then said that they had nothing to do with the move, as the WCL is a privately owned championship and not under their control.
India and Pakistan faced political pressure in the Asia Cup games after Mohsin Naqvi repeatedly rejected BCCI’s offer to hand over the Asia Cup trophy, which continues to this day.
Akram called for fair treatment of players of all countries
The Hundred is a global competition that attracts players from all over the world to participate in a 100-ball tournament involving multiple teams from cities across India. Many of those franchises are now taken over by Indian owners.
Northern Superchargers are owned by the same owners as Sunrisers Hyderabad, which was in the news. Like the Hundred, the Big Bash League is also set to go under private ownership, and several Indian owners are already lining up to bid with Cricket Australia.
Therefore, Akram has asked players from each country to be selected fairly based on their origin. “In league cricket, PDislike every player of any nation; Be courageous!! Be big!! But unfortunately that is not happening.”
Wasim Akram said, “And I think that’s where the ICC and cricket boards come in. It doesn’t matter who owns the league or who owns the teams in the league. Every player from every country should be selected.”
Wasim Akram said, “What I don’t like in cricket is politics, I’m sorry, sport should be kept away from politics, every player from any country should be brave but unfortunately it is not happening.”pic.twitter.com/P4rhIU1lv3
– Junaz (@dhilllow_) 2 November 2025
Pakistani players are not allowed to participate in IPL
Unlike Indian players, Pakistani players have been allowed to participate in global franchise tournaments. BCCI prohibits its players from participating in any league outside India when they are tied to BCCI through contracts.
However, the PCB allows its players to participate except in the IPL. The IPL started after 2008 and from 2009, Pakistani players were prohibited from participating. bbl And The Hundred has seen Pakistan players in the last season,
The franchises have been privatized, and many Indian players are on board to manage the teams, which may limit the participation of Pakistani players, especially after the recent disputes between the two boards, BCCI and PCB.,
Also read: Pakistan T20 squad announced for the next Asia Cup
