The Asia Cup Controversy: Politics in Sports

In the United States, cricket—considered the world’s second-most popular sport—is not greatly followed. Despite the United States partially hosting the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup, the sport has struggled to break through. This is especially surprising, given the sport’s history; the first-ever international cricket match was actually played between the United States and Canada at St. George’s Cricket Club in New York. However, watching cricket is an integral part of my Asian-American household.

The 2025 Asia Cup—a tournament played biennially involving eight teams from Asia split into two groups based on seeding—included teams from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Oman, and host team from the United Arab Emirates. Following the group stage, the top two teams from each group advanced to the Super Four, where all four teams played each other once. The top two teams from this round moved on to the final. The final was played between India and Pakistan, and India emerged victorious in a closely-contested match.

The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the largest in cricket. Although India is a stronger side based on recent form, supporters flock to the stadiums whenever the two teams meet. Across all formats, Pakistan has won 88 matches, India has won 77, and 44 matchups have ended in draws or no results. Unfortunately, this rivalry has even greater political significance.

Throughout history, sports have often been linked to politics, frequently serving as a platform to promote peace and social change. One notable example was when the Ivorian Men’s Soccer Team’s star striker Didier Drogba helped prevent a civil war from escalating by using the team’s platform for peace during their qualifying matches for the 2006 World Cup. After the Ivory Coast secured qualification, Drogba said “Men and women of Ivory Coast, from the north, south, centre, and west—we proved today that all Ivorians can coexist and play together with a shared aim: to qualify for the World Cup. We promised you that the celebrations would unite the people—today we beg you on our knees.” On cue, the players sank to their knees. “The one country in Africa with so many riches must not descend into war. Please lay down your weapons and hold elections,” Drogba urged. Sports can also bring people from rival countries together, offering a place to celebrate a shared passion. However, international conflicts often create politically charged rivalries. International teams may be banned from competing against one another, as evident with Russia and Ukraine, and individual players may be prohibited from entering certain countries. For instance, in 2019, former Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan was restricted from playing in the Europa League final held in Baku, Azerbaijan due to escalating political tensions between the two nations. 

India and Pakistan have been at odds since Partition, primarily due to territorial disputes and religious divisions. The divide emerged when Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s first-ever prime minister, fought for the creation of a separate Muslim state during India’s struggle for independence from the British. Since then, the two nations have maintained a constant political rivalry. Wars have broken out and attacks have occurred on both sides of the border. My parents are from India and Pakistan, and I have not been able to visit India since I was two years old. Even in moments where combat appears to cease, tensions remain high, and the peace is always temporary.

Cricket has long existed as a form of escape from the political tensions between India and Pakistan. The teams of both nations are loved across the border, and this love transcends political divisions. My Indian mother was a starstruck fan of a Pakistani cricketer when she was a teenager, despite the political divide. Matches between India and Pakistan invite people to come together in celebrating a friendly rivalry. After matches, players from both teams exchange smiles and handshakes, displaying genuine respect regardless of the outcome.

This longstanding show of respect has recently collapsed. In India and Pakistan’s three Asia Cup matches, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistani captain Salman Agha did not shake hands at the coin toss. Traditionally, even in times of extreme tensions, the captains from both of the cricket teams have never failed to display sportsmanship on the biggest stage, exhibiting a model of cooperation and peace between the two teams that their governments have often failed to replicate. In the aftermath of cross-border violence earlier this year, this tradition did not happen. Political discourse took precedence over sportsmanship and respect, marking a significant change in what was previously a timeless, friendly rivalry between the two teams.

While the absence of a handshake may seem insignificant, it symbolizes the growing distance between the two nations and an unwillingness to find common ground. As an Indo-Pak child, I pray for this to be a single-tournament occurrence and hope for better days ahead, but for now, the struggle between the two nations has overriden the binding joy of sports.