LAHORE: Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has issued a stern warning to arch-rivals India ahead of the much-anticipated clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 to be held in Colombo on February 15.
Speaking during a recent media interaction, Shaheen was asked about the controversial scenes witnessed during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.
Among the alleged incidents were allegations from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman Mohsin Naqvi that Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistani players and did not receive the match trophy.
“People across the border have defied sportsmanship,” Shaheen said. “Our job is to play cricket, that is our focus. We will try to respond on the field.”
Recently, former West Indies captain Jason Holder recently weighed in on the issue, expressing disappointment over the current tensions and urging players from both countries to set a better example.
In an interview with an Indian sports website, Holder described the situation as “tragic” and said that India defeated Pakistan in the Asia Cup final but did not go on stage to collect the trophy.
“I don’t like this whole India-Pakistan rivalry. They are two powerhouses in world cricket. To see how things turned out, it’s sad,” said Holder. “I saw India win the Asia Cup and they didn’t go up to the podium to accept the trophy. I think it’s too much – these things shouldn’t be in our game.”
Holder also emphasized the responsibility of cricketers as international role models.
“As cricketers, we are ambassadors to the world. If we are talking about world peace and making the world a better place, that’s not what you want to see from your idols,” he added. “If you’re inspiring a generation, we have to find a way to come together. I understand there’s a long history behind it, but we, as cricketers, have influence and that can change.”
The India-Pakistan match-fixing controversy has gone beyond the Asia Cup.
Tensions began during the group-stage clash, continued into the Super Four, and culminated in the final, where India defeated Pakistan but did not want to personally receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.
Similar incidents occurred during the Women’s World Cup clash between the two sides and the Hong Kong Super Sixes – both ACC events – where customary handshakes and courtesies were allegedly ignored.
India also boycotted matches against Pakistan in the second season of the World Championship of Legends (WCL), refusing to play in both the group stage and semi-finals.