Jason Holder Criticises India-Pakistan Asia Cup Row

West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder has added his voice to the controversy surrounding the India vs Pakistan match at the Asia Cup 2025, saying that the situation had gone “too much”. He said that while rivalry between India and Pakistan is always emotional because of history, what happened last year crossed the limits of sport.

The Asia Cup match in Dubai became more about off-field issues than cricket. Instead of India’s strong performance in the tournament, the focus shifted to political tension and reactions surrounding the match.

The controversy began when India chose not to shake hands with Pakistani players before the match. This decision was taken as a mark of protest following the Pahalgam attack in April 2025, in which 26 innocent people lost their lives. The attack led to rising tensions along the border, which affected sporting relations as well.

Holder said that while emotions are understandable in such rivalries, cricket should not be overshadowed by political drama. He felt that the focus should remain on the game and the players, rather than controversies outside the field.

The incident sparked widespread debate among fans, former players, and experts, with mixed opinions on whether sports and politics should remain separate in such sensitive situations.