New Delhi: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has stated that he will approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) to file a formal complaint against the India U19 players for their behaviour during the recently concluded U19 Asia Cup 2025 final. Pakistan thrashed India by 191 runs in the final to lift the title.
After conceding a huge total of 347/8 in 50 overs, India suffered a terrible batting collapse in the final as they were skittled out for a paltry 156 runs in just 26.3 overs in the run chase. There were high expectations from the likes of Indian skipper Ayush Mhatre, star batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Abhigyan Kundu and Vihaan Malhotra, among others. However, they failed to step up in the all-important clash.
Tempers flared as the players from both teams clashed on the field during India’s run chase in the final. Indian skipper Mhatre had a heated exchange with Pakistan pacer Ali Raza after his dismissal, while Suryavanshi was also involved in a verbal spat with the fast bowler. The 14-year-old also made a controversial foot gesture towards the Pakistan pacer.
Condemning the Indian players’ behaviour during the final, PCB chief Naqvi accused them of ‘provoking’ Pakistani players during the game. Speaking to reporters at the reception of the Pakistan U19 team in the country on Monday, Naqvi said he will formally approach the ICC regarding the Indian players’ behaviour during the final.
“Indian players kept provoking Pakistani players during the U-19 Asia Cup final,” Naqvi told the reporters.
“Pakistan will formally inform the ICC about the incident. Politics and sports should always be kept separate,” he added.
Pakistan mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed accuses Indian players of unethical conduct
Earlier, former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was the mentor of the Pakistan U19 team in the tournament, criticised the Indian players for their behaviour during the final. Sarfaraz accused the Indian players of unethical conduct during the game and stated that their actions were disrespectful to the spirit of the game.
“We have played against Indian teams that respected cricket. The way the young boys behaved was disrespectful towards the sport,” said the former Pakistan captain.
“I clearly told my players that celebrations should be respectful. I wanted the boys to show their ability in this format. I told my boys: back yourself, let them do what they are doing. India’s behaviour regarding the game was not good, and the Indian team’s conduct in cricket was unethical,” he added.
The BCCI is reportedly set to conduct a review of the Indian U19 team’s performance in the U19 Asia Cup 2025 after their woeful defeat against Pakistan in the final. However, it is not known whether the board will also discuss the accusations from Pakistan about the Indian players’ behaviour during the final.