'Never play against India' is the advice given to Pakistan during the Asia Cup presentation ceremony controversy.

When it comes to playing India in multi-nation tournaments, Kamran Akmal stated that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) must be firm.

After what transpired during the post-match presentation of the just finished Asia Cup 2025 tournament, former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal made an urgent plea to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), stating that the organization should take a firm stand and decline to play against India in the forthcoming multi-nation events. India declined to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), after defeating Salman Ali Agha's team by five wickets in the final.

India's refusal to accept the trophy from Naqvi, who is also the head of the PCB and Pakistan's interior minister, caused the post-match celebration to be postponed by forty-five minutes. Despite being the head of the ACC, Naqvi expressed anti-Indian views on social media during the competition.

He publicly supported Pakistan's interests, even asking that Andy Pycroft, the match referee, be fired following the India vs. Pakistan group stage match because he refused to shake hands. However, there was a huge controversy in Pakistani cricket circles when Suryakumar Yadav's team refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, and responses are coming in thick and fast.

"We should never play against India," the Pakistani board should declare right away. Let's wait and watch what ICC does. What more proof is required after this? However, the BCCI representative is in charge of the ICC; what steps would Jay Shah take? The other boards have to join together, say we can’t see this in cricket. No one plays sports at their home. There won't be any money if people don't play them," Akmal told ARY News.