Dubai(The COW News Digital)Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi has delivered a strong response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing recent remarks that appeared to link cricket with national pride and military rhetoric.
In a statement posted on social media, Naqvi condemned the attempt to connect war and sports, calling it a “sign of frustration and despair.” He emphasized that cricket should be treated as a bridge between nations, not a tool to stoke political or military rivalries.
“Mixing war with sport damages the true spirit of the game,” Naqvi wrote. “If war is considered a measure of pride, then history stands witness that India has repeatedly faced humiliation and defeat at the hands of Pakistan. No cricket match result can rewrite that reality.”
Naqvi’s remarks came in the wake of a statement by the Indian leadership that seemed to suggest that India’s cricket victories were symbolic of military or national dominance. His comments have been widely shared across social media platforms, sparking a fresh round of debate between fans and political commentators from both countries.
Analysts say Naqvi’s strong stance highlights the growing tension surrounding cricket diplomacy in South Asia, particularly in the wake of the recent Asia Cup controversies where India refused to participate in certain ceremonial traditions, including receiving the tournament trophy from ACC officials.
Observers argue that Naqvi’s statement seeks to reinforce the idea that sports should serve as a neutral ground, fostering peace and mutual respect, rather than inflaming nationalist sentiment. His response also reflects Pakistan’s broader position that cricketing ties with India must not be held hostage to political tensions or military rhetoric.
Fans and commentators on both sides of the border have reacted sharply to the exchange, with many praising Naqvi for defending the integrity of the sport. Others, however, argue that such public exchanges risk further politicizing cricket, a game that already carries heavy emotional weight in both nations.
The statement underscores the continued struggle to separate sportsmanship from geopolitics in one of cricket’s most emotionally charged rivalries. Whether this war of words will impact future India-Pakistan cricket engagements remains to be seen
