'Stick to sports': Kapil Dev slams political interference in India-Pakistan Asia Cup matches

Kapil Dev slams political interference in India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash. (Photo: AP)

The Asia Cup 2025 ended amid controversy after the Indian cricket team refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Mohsin Naqvi. According to reports, India had informed the ACC of its decision before the final match. However, an angered Naqvi abruptly left the presentation ceremony, taking the trophy with him.

India's legendary cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Kapil Dev shared his views during a conversation with India Today on the incident that has drawn criticism from all around the globe.

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"I just want to say, your responsibility, and the responsibility for the entire media also, is that we should look into the sports side rather than looking into the politics side. Yes, media has the responsibility to bring everything on the table, but as a sportsman, I would like to see that we should stick to sports. It will be much better," Kapil Dev remarked.

The former World Cup-winning captain also commented on the current state of Pakistan cricket. Drawing a comparison with the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s, Kapil Dev said the present Pakistani team lacks the world-class talent that once defined it.

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"Yeah, I think they don't have the similar talent they used to have in the '80s, '90s, or before that. Pakistan has given us, to the world, one of the best cricketers. You can talk about Imran Khan, you can talk about Javed Miandad, Zaheer Abbas, Wasim Akram, and Waqar Younis. They have given us that talent. But unfortunately, we can't see similar talent today, not even one per cent of what they used to have," he added.