Pitch turn into battleground: PCB Chief Naqvi responds to PM Modi’s tweet

September 29, 2025

New Delhi: India won the Asia Cup 2025 after crushing Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 28. This was the third time India defeated Pakistan in the same tournament. But one of the major moment that stirred up controversy was that India was celebrating the win without a trophy because the ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi shamelessly ran away with it to spoil India’s celebration.

His statement came after Modi’s tweet that hailed the Indian cricket team’s success on the field as a victory symbolic of national pride, closing with a congratulatory message to the players.

In a tweet replying to PM Modi’s message celebrating India’s win with the hashtag #OperationSindoor, Naqvi stated:
“If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game.”

Cricket analysts and fans strongly condemned Naqvi’s political rhetoric. The Indian team did not shake hands with Pakistani players during the tournament and did not participate in the customary pre-toss photoshoot. Naqvi also attempted to escalate tensions off the field, including demanding action against Suryakumar Yadav by the ICC.