Former India cricketer Syed Kirmani is against the idea of politics mixing in with cricket and sent a stern message to both the Indian and Pakistan teams after the Asia Cup final. This comes after all the three clashes between the two teams in Asia Cup were marred with co ntroversies. The drama didn't end even after the final concluded as the Men in Blue refused to take the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who is the chairman of both the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Even though Kirmani didn't take the name of any team, he went on to say that he is ashamed to see the way in which the game is currently being played. He further stated that it no longer can be called the gentleman's game as players these days make a lot of arrogant gestures on the field.
“The way cricket is being played all around — I won’t like to take the names of the countries — by and large, there has been no gentleman-ness in the game. There have been very rude, arrogant gestures on the field. I’m not referring to only the Asia Cup,” Kirmani told ANI.
"I’m ashamed to listen to the comments from my friends. My friends say, ‘Your time was different. You played like gentlemen. But what has happened to the current era of cricketers globally?'” he added.
Kirmani slams Suryakumar over match fee gesture
Kirmani also wasn't a fan of Suryakumar Yadav for donating his entire Asia Cup match fees to the families of the victims of Pahalgam terrorist attack and the Indian Armed forces. The former India cricketer asked Suryakumar to not do such things as this only leads to politics mixing in with cricket.
“It is very depressing to me the way things are going on in the sporting field, particularly in cricket. It is not the right thing that has happened. Politics should not be involved in sports in general. Leave politics behind. Whatever has transpired away from the sporting field, leave it there itself. Don’t relate it to your winning amount or whatever you are earning from this great game of cricket," Kirmani stated.
"Don’t dedicate it to political causes. In our time, cricketers had such wonderful camaraderie. Pakistani players coming to India, us going to Pakistan. What hospitality, what love, what affection. I have to put my head down as a cricketer,” he added.
India still haven't received Asia Cup trophy
Meanwhile, India are yet to receive their winner's medals and Asia Cup trophy from the ACC. It remains to be seen as to when and how will Naqvi decide to hand the Men in Blue of the trophy that they deservedly won defeating Pakistan in what was a dramtic final.