The post Pakistan U19 Celebrate Asia Cup Triumph with Viral Song as Win Over India Sparks Debate appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>
The choice of music drew widespread reactions, with fans from both countries debating the irony of the celebration song and the emotions surrounding the high-profile rivalry. The video clips circulated rapidly across platforms, adding a cultural layer to an already intense cricketing contest.
On the field, Pakistan delivered a dominant performance. After posting a formidable 347 for eight in their allotted overs, the bowlers dismantled the Indian batting line-up, dismissing them for 156 in just 26.2 overs.
The win handed Pakistan their first Under-19 Asia Cup title in 13 years and only their second overall in the tournament’s history.
However, the final was not without controversy. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi accused Indian players of engaging in provocative behaviour during the match and confirmed that the PCB would formally raise the matter with the International Cricket Council. He stressed that sports and politics should remain separate and expressed concern over on-field conduct.
Earlier, Pakistan Under-19 team mentor Sarfaraz Ahmed had also criticised India’s behaviour, describing it as unethical and against the spirit of the game. Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to a Champions Trophy title against India in 2017, stated that his team chose to celebrate their success with restraint despite the exchanges during the match. He emphasised that cricket should always be played with sportsmanship and respect.
Incidents related to player conduct in India-Pakistan encounters are not uncommon. During the senior men’s T20 Asia Cup in Dubai earlier this year, both cricket boards had raised issues with the ICC over on-field behaviour across multiple matches, including the final. The latest episode in the Under-19 final has once again highlighted how closely contested rivalry often spills beyond the scoreboard.
The post Pakistan U19 Celebrate Asia Cup Triumph with Viral Song as Win Over India Sparks Debate appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>The post Pakistan Slams ICC for “Biased” Statement on Afghan Cricketers’ Deaths appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>
The incident, which occurred in Afghanistan’s Paktika province during an aerial strike, led the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to withdraw from an upcoming tri-nation series in Pakistan. In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Zimbabwe would replace Afghanistan in the event, which also features Sri Lanka.
On Saturday, both the ICC and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued messages expressing condolences for the Afghan players killed in the incident. However, neither statement mentioned Pakistan directly, though their wording implied a connection — a claim Pakistan vehemently rejects.
“Statements Based on Assumptions”
In a press release issued on Sunday, Tarar condemned the ICC’s statement for allegedly implying Pakistan’s involvement without independent verification.
“We completely reject and condemn the ICC’s statement, which seems to suggest — without evidence — that Pakistan was behind the airstrike that killed Afghan players,” Tarar said.
He emphasized that the ICC should not have acted on claims made by the Afghanistan board without conducting its own fact-finding.
“Pakistan has itself suffered greatly due to terrorism over the years,” Tarar said, demanding that the ICC retract or revise its statement to reflect neutrality and due diligence.
Concerns Over ICC’s Neutrality
Tarar also raised concerns about the timing and coordination of statements made by ICC officials and the Afghanistan board. He pointed out that ICC Chairman Jay Shah echoed similar sentiments on social media shortly after the ICC’s official statement, followed closely by a statement from the ACB.
He noted that Afghan cricketers, including stars like Rashid Khan and Gulbadin Naib, had publicly condemned the attack — but argued that these were emotionally driven reactions rather than evidence-based accusations.
Wider Pattern of Alleged Bias
Referring to past incidents — including the controversial no-handshake episode between Pakistani and Indian players during the recent Asia Cup — Tarar suggested there is an ongoing pattern of discriminatory behavior against Pakistan in international cricket.
“This raises serious concerns about whether the ICC is maintaining its independence and neutrality,” he said. “An international body like the ICC should not issue statements based on unverified, one-sided claims.”
He concluded by urging the ICC to avoid being influenced by external pressures and to maintain its role as an impartial governing body in international sport.
The post Pakistan Slams ICC for “Biased” Statement on Afghan Cricketers’ Deaths appeared first on The Edge Media.
]]>