Defense Minister Khawaja Asif Slams India for Mixing Politics with Cricket
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly criticized India for dragging politics into cricket, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi is damaging the sport’s culture and spirit for political gains.
In a message posted on social media, Asif remarked that by “destroying the culture and spirit of cricket,” Modi is **undermining peace prospects in South Asia** and blocking chances for resolving regional issues. “Respect is not restored this way. The 6–0 record in war between Pakistan and India is engraved in stone,” he wrote.
The minister further added, “We are not even saying much, yet Modi has humiliated himself in India and across the world.”
His reaction comes after India’s repeated breaches of sportsmanship during the Asia Cup. Throughout the tournament, the Indian team **refused to shake hands with Pakistani players**, avoided a pre-final photo with Pakistan’s captain, and later, on the direction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), **declined to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi**.
The Indian team’s defiance caused **delays in the final ceremony at Dubai Cricket Stadium**, overshadowing their victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup T20 final.
