“India is the No.1-ranked team, but their actions are third-rate” - Former Pakistan cricketer slams Team India

Former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Basit Ali has slammed the Indian cricket team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, for their actions after the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2025 campaign, terming them as ‘third-rate’.

Speaking exclusively on ARY News Channel, the former Pakistani cricketer asserted that the Indian team was disgraced in the eyes of the world after not accepting the trophy from the ACC Chief Mohsin Naqvi.

“They are the No. 1-ranked team, but their actions are third-rate. Mohsin Naqvi will present the trophy — if they refuse to accept, they would be disgraced in the eyes of the world. The trophy should not be handed over,” Ali said on Pakistan’s ARY News channel.

“You’re the No.1 team, you played well and won, but what is this stubbornness? Mohsin Naqvi is the head of the Asian Cricket Council. Suppose it had been an ICC event, and Pakistan refused to accept the trophy from Jay Shah, Pakistan would have been wrong there,” Ali added.

While India secured a seven-wicket win over Pakistan in the group stage, they later bagged a six-wicket win over their arch-rivals in the Super Four round. In the grand finale, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets to secure the silverware.

For the unversed, India refused to collect the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who also happens to be the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman and Pakistan's Interior Minister. On the other hand, Naqvi left the podium with the trophy and Team India’s medals to his hotel, which didn’t go down well with the BCCI and Indian cricket fans.

Moreover, the BCCI is all set to lodge a strong protest against Naqvi for his act of taking the trophy and team medals to his hotel.

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