Sunil’s return was a mistake; Gurpreet should also retire for the new generation: Bhaichung
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has said that talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri should not have returned to international football, breaking his retirement to help India in the AFC 2027 Asian Cup qualification campaign. Bhaichung termed it a mistake. Chhetri last scored for the Blue Tigers in March this year against the Maldives but has drawn a blank in the country’s next matches since then. While reacting to India’s exit from the Asian Cup qualifiers after a 1-2 defeat to Singapore in the third round in Goa, the former Indian captain urged goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to consider stepping aside to give the next generation a chance, also. “It’s time for Sunil. He’s had a great career and a wonderful farewell, but his comeback was a big mistake, for him and for Indian football. I had mentioned that earlier, too. It’s also time for senior players like Sunil and Gurpreet to say goodbye. They have served Indian football well, but now the next generation has to take over,” Bhutia told PTI. Bhutia urged India to move away from glamorous European football models and instead emulate Asian nations such as Uzbekistan and Jordan, which have achieved consistent success with modest resources. India’s 1-2 defeat against Singapore came after a 1-1 draw in the away leg, resulting in the Blue Tigers missing out on the continental tournament for the first time since it expanded to 24 teams in 2019. “It’s very disappointing because the Asia Cup is something we should at least be qualifying for regularly. When 24 teams qualify for the Asia Cup and you still can’t make it, then it’s very, very disappointing. “We keep talking about the World Cup and other big things, but if we can’t even qualify for the Asia Cup, then we are very far away from our goal,” the 48-year-old Indian football icon added.
‘Let them do whatever, we will follow our protocol,’ says Salman Agha before the Asia Cup final
For the first time, ahead of the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan today in Dubai, Pakistan captain Salman Agha opened up about the ‘no handshake’ controversy that has already rocked the cricket fraternity. While speaking at the media conference, Salman described the situation as ‘unprecedented’ and stated that he has not seen or heard anything like this before in his life. “I have been playing cricket since 2007, and I have never seen two teams don’t shake hands. All I have heard is that such an incident has never occurred.” He added, “Previously too, India and Pakistan matches have taken place, when situations were worse than this one, and then also handshakes used to happen. This is not good for cricket.” Rumors are also there that there will be no ‘captain’s photo shoot’ ahead of the final. While reacting to this question, the Pakistan skipper had a simple response. “Let them do whatever, we will follow our protocol. It is up to them. We can’t do anything about that.” Meanwhile, there is still no clarity on the captain’s photo shoot, anyway. Coming to the cricket aspect, India and Pakistan have played two matches so far in the Asia Cup, where India have won both, convincingly. Still, it is not going to be simply a cricket match. The electric game in Dubai will be treated as a proxy war. For all those naive people who say, ‘sports should not mix with politics,’ they also realize that they have already been drawn into the warmth of this high-voltage match. India must be desperate to clinch the title, as both teams will be playing in the final for the first time in the Asia Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav faces ‘caution’ only by the ICC referee
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has only been cautioned by the ICC against Pakistan’s complaint after Yadav dedicated India’s Super-Four victory to India’s armed forces and the victims of Pahalgam terror attack. On Thursday, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav was summoned by the ICC after a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to those present, Suryakumar, accompanied by BCCI COO Hemang Amin and Cricket Operations Manager Summer Mallapurkar, appeared before match referee Richie Richardson. The Indian captain “pleaded not guilty,” arguing that his words were in solidarity with his countrymen rather than political messaging. According to PTI, Richardson, however, reminded the 34-year-old to steer clear of comments that could be construed as political. A Level 1 offence under the ICC code of conduct usually carries a warning or a fine of 15% of match fees. For now, Surya has escaped with just a caution. If India’s skipper had to defend his words, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Shahibzada Farhin must defend their actions. The BCCI has lodged a separate complaint, citing their provocative gestures during Super-Four clash on 21st September 21. Rauf allegedly mimicked the shooting down of an aircraft, a gesture that instantly reminded Indian supporters of past military confrontations. Farhan, after his fifty, went a step further as he wielded his bat like a machine gun in celebration. All this was quite bewildering considering the two nations went into a war a few months ago. It was apparent, for Indians, as a mockery. Farhan later shrugged it off as “something that came to mind,” but the ICC is unlikely to be so forgiving. Their hearing, slated for Friday, could set an important precedent on how far on-field theatrics can go before they cross the line.
Shahid Afridi makes explosive comments, questioning the umpire’s integrity over Fakhar Zaman’s dismissal
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi launched a scathing attack on the umpire who gave out to Fakhar Zaman against the bowling of Hardik Pandya in Sunday’s Super-four match of the Asia Cup in Dubai. Zaman was given out caught behind on the bowling of Hardik Pandya. The decision was initially made by the on-field umpire and then referred to the third umpire for review. Afridi suggested on a Pakistani TV channel that the umpire was biased towards India, implying the umpire had aspirations to officiate in the Indian Premier League. The caught-behind decision was reviewed by the third umpire, who checked a few slow-motion replays before upholding the call in India’s favour. After returning to the dressing room, Zaman expressed his displeasure at the third umpire’s decision. Afridi, sharing his view, stated that he believed the Pakistan opener was not out. “He has to umpire in the IPL too,” Afridi said on Samma TV, suggesting that the umpire was biased towards India. Former Pakistan batter Mohamamd Yusuf, who was also a part of the panel discussion, echoed Afridi’s sentiments. “They didn’t even check many angles. Fakhar had hit three fours and handled Bumrah with ease in the first over. His wicket was crucial for India,” Yusuf asserted. Earlier, even Pakistan pace great Shoaib Akhtar had termed the third umpire’s call to give Fakhar out, the ‘wrong’ one. “Fakhar wasn’t out. With 26 cameras available, why did the third umpire only check two angles? If Fakhar had stayed, the match might have turned,” he had said.
Abhishek retorts with bat and words
After Sunday’s India -Pakistan clash in Dubai Abhishek Sharma has become a household name in both the countries. Now, He is known as a tormentor after a thrashing 74 off just 39 balls, which steered India again to earn a comfortable six-wicket victory in the Super-four clash against Pakistan in Dubai. Abhishek not only hit sixes but responded to sledging attempts by Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi with words of his own. Tension was evident from the first over. Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma walked out with intent, while Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf met them with stares and words. Abhishek responded immediately, striking over the boundary and exchanging words with Afridi. Soon, both Indian openers exchanged words with the Pakistani bowlers. If the battle on the field wasn’t enough, Abhishek made sure to carry the momentum off it too. Hours after sealing the six-wicket win, he posted pictures from the match with a simple caption, ‘You talk, we win,’ and the post became viral. In his post-match chat, Abhishek made it clear, saying, “The way they were coming out to us without any reason, I did not like it at all. That’s why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team.” His words summed up India’s night in Dubai. Pakistan had started with fire, racing to 91 for the loss of one wicket inside 10 overs, but ended with only 171 on the board as the Indian bowlers clawed back. In reply, India’s openers turned the chase into a spectacle.
ICC not to remove Pycroft from Asia Cup: Will Pakistan withdraw from UAE match?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that it will not accept PCB’s demand to remove match-referee Andy Pycroft from the ongoing Asia Cup. The controversy has escalated, as Cricbuzz reports that the PCB is considering instructing the Pakistan team to withdraw from their next match against UAE in protest over the ICC’s decision. Such a move would eliminate Pakistan from the tournament, as they and the UAE are vying for the second Super Four spot from Group A. India has already advanced by defeating both the UAE and Pakistan. The PCB complained to the ACC and ICC, stating that Pycroft had little to no involvement in the incident. According to the PCB, he only relayed the Indian team’s message to Pakistan captain, Salman Ali Agha, in order to avoid embarrassment at the toss for the India-Pakistan match. Salman didn’t look upset at toss time. But after Suryakumar Yadav and his mates refused to shake hands after the game, he refused to turn up for the post-match interview. “The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the Match Referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws pertaining to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded an immediate removal of the Match Referee from the Asia Cup,” Naqvi had written to ICC. It will be fascinating to see whether PCB and Naqvi have the guts to pull out of what is a virtual knockout match. This would mean that Pakistan will be eliminated from the Asia Cup in the group stage itself.
Irfan Pathan slams Pakistan, says even a domestic team from India can beat them!
Irfan Pathan slammed Pakistan, saying even a domestic side from India could beat them. He went on to say teams like Mumbai and Punjab, which have become consistent in white-ball Indian domestic tournaments, could beat Pakistan. “If you ask which of our domestic teams can beat Pakistan, I know for sure Mumbai can beat them. Punjab can beat them,” said Irfan on Sony Sports Network. India were clinical in their approach, limiting Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs after being asked to bowl first. While chasing, the toothless Pakistani bowling attack was no match for the Indian batters either, as the Men in Blue chased down the modest target in 15.5 overs with seven wickets in hand. Former Mumbai cricketer Abhishek Nayar also agreed to Pathan’s notion, explaining that the match could have been a better preparatory match for India if it was India versus India! “We were thinking about how to build up the game. Pakistan came with spinners and did not have fast bowlers. Their bowling was different, but there was no actual difference. From the start to the end, after winning the toss and batting first to the chase, Pakistan were not in the competition at all. If India were playing versus India, and it was more of a practice match for the future,” said Nayar.
India to stick with ‘no handshake’ policy against Pakistan in Asia Cup
It is learnt that Indian cricket team have decided to carry on with the ‘no handshake’ policy with Pakistan even if both teams meet again in the Super-4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup. India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his players showed a symbolic protest, leaving the ground directly without handshaking with the Pakistani cricketers after drubbing them in the group league match on Sunday. According to reports published in The Economic Times, it is believed that India will not shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts, both in the Super 4 stage and in the final, if they meet. According to the reports, the decision of not exchanging the sporting gesture through handshakes after the match was taken after Team India received an instruction from the BCCI. It is also believed that the BCCI and the team management were reportedly involved in a discussion over the recent demand from a section of fans and political parties to boycott the game against Pakistan. Defending the decision, a BCCI official explained while speaking to PTI, “Look, if you read the rule book, there is no specification about shaking hands with the opposition. It is a goodwill gesture and a sort of convention not law that is followed globally across the sporting spectrum. If there is no law, then the Indian cricket team is not bound to shake hands with an opposition with whom there is a history of strained relationship,” the BCCI official said. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has officially lodged a complaint to the Asian Cricket Council, mentioning India’s gesture as ‘unsporting’.
UAE excited to play against superstars Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah: Alishan Sharafu
UAE opener Alishan Sharafu is excited to play against the heavy-weight names like Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya. UAE will start their campaign in the Asia Cup 2025 campaign against India on 10th September. The Indian team have faced the UAE only once in the T-20I format, which was in the Asia Cup 2016. It is nearly a decade later that the rivalry resumes with Suryakumar Yadav and Muhammad Waseem as the captains of the two sides. Sharafu said ahead of the match, “I think they are all quality players. If we have to take some names, like I said, Jasprit Bumrah or someone like Hardik Pandya. These guys are match-winners and they can change the game on their own. I’m quite excited to go out there and have that experience of playing against them. Hopefully, we can give them a tough time.” UAE recently played against Pakistan and Afghanistan in the tri-series where they did not win a single game. In their final match of the tournament, they came really close to beating the Afghan side but ended up losing the match by only 4 runs. Despite the losses, Sharafu said that the team was confident in its abilities and could spring a surprise against Suryakumar Yadav’s side.
Shastri hails Samson’s form, says he is dangerous in top order
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri made a huge appreciation of Sanju Samson’s latest form in the T-20 format. He urged the team management to allow the batsman to play within the ‘top-three’. The Asia Cup T-20 will start on 9th September, as India begin their campaign against hosts UAE in Dubai on 10th September. Sanju Samson has been in inspiring form since he started playing as an opener in 2024, scoring 861 runs in 41 T20Is. The Indian wicketkeeper has scored three T20I hundreds in just 12 innings, maintaining a strike rate of 152.38. However, his performance drops significantly when batting in other positions, with a highest score of only 29 in nine innings. “Samson is most dangerous in the top three. That is where he can win matches. He should be left there. Samson has a strong record for India at the top in T20s, ” explained Shastri, who coached India from 2017 to 2021. “Samson should continue playing the way he has for India in T20s. He has been consistent at the top with big runs and hundreds,” Shastri added. Shastri, speaking on the bowling department, said he believes spin will play a crucial role in the upcoming tournament. “Given the conditions in Dubai and the heat, spin will definitely be the flavour of the month. Teams like Afghanistan might even play four spinners. Whether it’s two or three, it depends on balance, but spinners will certainly be in big demand in Dubai. You need both finger spin and wrist spin. India has that luxury, and they’ll all come into play depending on conditions,” the former spin-bowling all-rounder said.
