Pakistan Under-19 team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed has publicly criticised the Indian cricket team’s behaviour. His comments follow Pakistan’s victory over India in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the former national captain condemned the opposition’s actions. “India’s behaviour regarding the game was not good, and the Indian team’s conduct in cricket was unethical,” Sarfaraz stated.
He contrasted this with Pakistan’s response. “We celebrated the victory with sportsmanship, because there should always be sportsmanship in cricket,” he added.
The criticism references specific events during the tournament. In September, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with Pakistani players after the match. This occurred during their three Asia Cup encounters, including the final.
Sarfaraz Ahmed said:"The Indian teams I’ve played against usually understood the spirit of the game, but in in this match IND team’s attitude iwas poor and their conduct unethical. I told my boys to celebrate with true sportsmanship. Cricket should always be played with respect." pic.twitter.com/EXXU84ZE5F
— Cricket Pakistan (@crickethub_pk) December 22, 2025Furthermore, the Indian team refused to collect the Asia Cup trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi after the final. Reports suggest this move was at the directive of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
These actions drew global attention. Many observers noted a perceived lack of sportsmanship, attributed to ongoing geopolitical tensions between the nations.
Read: Pakistan Win Men’s U19 Asia Cup With 191-Run Victory Over India
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hosted the winning team at the Prime Minister’s Office. He announced a cash reward of Rs 10 million for each team member in recognition of their historic achievement.
Additionally, the support staff will receive Rs 2.5 million each. The Prime Minister praised the team for lifting the nation’s pride and winning the hearts of millions. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chief Mohsin Naqvi also addressed the team. He credited the victory to the players’ focus and announced ongoing infrastructure development. A High-Performance Centre in Lahore is being built to benefit future players.
