Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Madan Lal Urges India to Stop Playing Pakistan
Madan Lal said India should stop playing Pakistan if disputes around matches and ceremonies continue.
He made the comments after a controversy at an Asia Cup trophy presentation.
On Sunday, officials stood on stage while Sri Lankan players received their medals.
The Indian team did not take part in the presentation.
Rajeev Shukla was also at the venue.
The scene reminded people of the 2025 men's Asia Cup.
At that event, India also declined to receive the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi.
Lal said someone else should have presented the trophy to the Indian players.
Former India cricketer Madan Lal criticized the latest Asia Cup trophy-presentation controversy.
Lal questioned why India should continue playing Pakistan amid repeated off-field disputes.
During Sunday's ceremony, Indian players stayed away while Sri Lankan players received their medals.
Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi was involved in the controversy, while BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was present at the venue.
The incident recalled the 2025 men's Asia Cup, when India also declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi.
- Who
- Former India cricketer Madan Lal, the Indian team, Mohsin Naqvi, and Rajeev Shukla.
- What
- Lal criticized a trophy-presentation controversy and called for India to stop playing Pakistan if such disputes continue.
- When
- Lal made the remarks after Sunday's Asia Cup ceremony; a similar incident occurred during the 2025 men's Asia Cup.
- Where
- At the Asia Cup venue; the specific location is not stated.
- Why
- The comments followed repeated off-field disputes and controversy over who should present the trophy to India.
- Speaker
- Madan Lal, former India cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner
- Main demand
- Lal said India should not play Pakistan if such controversies continue
- Latest ceremony
- Indian players stayed away while Sri Lankan players received their medals
- Official involved
- Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi was involved in the controversy
- Indian official present
- BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla was present at the venue
- Previous incident
- India also declined to receive the trophy from Naqvi during the 2025 men's Asia Cup
- Lal's earlier criticism
- He said another person should have handed the trophy to the Indian players