Indian cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav dedicated his team’s two Asia Cup victories over Pakistan in Dubai to Indian Army. He did not shake hand with Slaman Ali Aga, Pakistan captain, during the toss. They also left the stadium after the match without the traditional hand-shake with the opposing side.
Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf taunted Indian spectators with 6:0 gesture during the Sunday’s match. Another Pakistani batsman made gun shooting gesture with his bat.
Undoubtedly, the BJP and its ideological allies in India used sports, particularly cricket, against Pakistan as weapon to advance their political agenda. In 2019, Indian team wore army camouflage caps in a match against Australia. India has long been boycotted bilateral cricket with Pakistan.
Pakistan has usually avoided politicising sports, with few exceptions when individual athletes posted some controversial comments on social platforms or made media statements.
However, the conflict in May 2025 between Pakistan and India has changed the scenario. The current regime and its hawks in Pakistan fully exploit every opportunity like hate-mongers in the Modi government. They extract politics from sports events. And why wouldn’t they? After all, they are politicians.
Khawaja Asif:
“Keep it up Haris Rauf,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X during Sunday’s match. He added: “Haris is treating them right. Cricket matches keep happening, but India will not forget 6/0 and the world will remember it too.” Information Minister Ataullah Tarar attacked Modi government for “politicising cricket ” after September 14’s match. He, however, himself equally utilised the opportunity for political milage. Tarar said: “Pakistan proved its military dominance by shooting down six Indian planes.”
Memorable Moments of Pakistan-India Cricket:
“Modi government is using sports for political gain. Rulers in Pakistan have also started following the same pattern. They are actually making fools of the public. It is equally painful to watch warmongers exploit sports for their agenda. Unfortunately, this is destroying the memorable moments of Pakistan-India cricket and hockey, which shone across the world for decades,” said Tayyab Sarfraz Falki, a Lahore-based sports enthusiast.
Nasir Ali, who lives in Ali Town Lahore and in his late 40s, still remembered most beautiful moments of cricket between Pakistan and India. He was among those thousands of spectators who chanted “Bala, Bala” at Gaddafi Stadium for Lakshmipathy Balaji. The bilateral Test series in Pakistan in 2005 brought great fame to the Indian right-arm fast-medium bowler, who frequently fondly mentioned the moments.
Thousands of cricket fans around the world still remember the remarkable sportsmanship shown by Chennai fans in 1999. The crowd at Chepauk Stadium gave the Pakistan cricket team a standing ovation after their narrow 12-run victory against India in a thrilling Test match.
