Former South African star Ab de Villiers has focused on the refusal of India to accept the Asia Cup 2025 trophy from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, condemned as politics in Sport.
Talk about his “Ab de Villiers 360“YouTube channel, the ex-battere said that the chaotic trophy presentation that followed the victory of India sent the wrong message to the game and his fans.
“Team India was a bit not happy with who took the trophy. I don’t feel that it belongs to sport. Politics must stay aside. Sport is one thing, and it must be celebrated for what it is,” he said.
“Very sad to see that, but hopefully they will sort things in the future. It has brought the sport, the players, the athletes, the cricketers in a very difficult position, and that is what I hate to see. It was pretty awkward at the end.”
The Asia Cup was characterized by visible hostility between Indian and Pakistani teams, exchanged without handshake over three meetings and a tense atmosphere that spilled in medal and trophy protocols.
Previously, India’s World Cup-winning Captain Kapil DEV advised his countrymen to “continue” and “had politicians do their work”
DEV, who spoke in World Cup glory in India, who spoke in 1983 in 1983, said that although it was obvious that players have feelings for their country, may not prevent such emotions on the field.
“Shaking hands is not big. You have not shaken hands; it doesn’t matter. You have also announced that you don’t want to take the trophy from that man. That’s fine too.”
He added: “But you can’t linger for things like this. You have to end up, you have to go on. Let the government do that work, let the politician do that work.”
