"I don't know what...": Sunil Gavaskar slams Pakistan before IND vs PAK Super 4 Asia Cup 2025 match

The India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 controversy isn't going away anyway, as Pakistan have canceled their pre-match press conference on the eve of the India vs Pakistan match in the Super Fours of the tournament. Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed Pakistan for their latest action. 

Since the announcement of the Asia Cup 2025 schedule, the India vs Pakistan match has been at the centre of controversy. While the BCCI was under pressure due to the boycott demand for the Pakistan clash from many Indians, as a protest for the 2025 Pahalgam attack incident, Indian cricketers decided not to shake hands with the Pakistan players in their group stage meeting last Sunday (September 14).

However, Pakistan didn't take the no handshake incident lightly, as they stretched the incident further. Pakistan accused the match referee of supporting India's no handshake decision and also accused Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav of bringing political issues into the post-match press conference. 

Even Pakistan forced a one-hour delay start in their must-win last group stage match against the hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while the rumour was that Pakistan were pulling out of the tournament as a protest. Now, on the eve of their Super Fours encounter against India once again, Pakistan canceled the press conference.

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It’s still essential to maintain open communication with the media: Sunil Gavaskar

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed Pakistan's latest decision to cancel the press conference, while the former Indian captain opened up the importance of the pre-match press conference. 

Sunil Gavaskar told India Today, “I don’t know what the thinking behind that is, but as far as I know, press conferences are mandatory. If teams don’t hold them, I’m not sure what the penalties are—if any—but in today’s world, it’s important for the media to be involved and kept informed. It’s still essential to maintain open communication with the media. Instead of relying on ‘sources’ or speculation, it’s always better for teams to convey their point of view directly. Perhaps Pakistan feel they have nothing to share, which, frankly, isn’t surprising."

A point could be deducted from their table: Sunil Gavaskar's reply after Pakistan's press conference cancellation 

While Gavaskar feels that Pakistan take their latest decision due to the influence of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chariman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), the former Indian captain also believes that the complete ACC board should take action on this, like deduction of a point. 

Gavaskar further added, “Yes, Mohsin Naqvi is the head of the ACC, but there is an organisation under him that includes India, Sri Lanka, and other participating and non-participating member nations — that collectively forms the Asian Cricket Council. As far as I know, there’s a governing committee within the ACC for tournaments like this, and they’ll likely want to understand what’s going on. If there is something in the rulebook stating that attending press conferences is mandatory, then perhaps going forward, if a team fails to comply, a point could be deducted from their table. That might be a viable way forward."