Entertainment
Mohsin Naqvi hits back at Indian PM Modi for ‘dragging war into sport’
- India refuse to collect Asia Cup trophy from ACC Chief Naqvi.
- Dragging war into sport disgraces spirit of game: Mohsin Naqvi
- Salman Agha slams India’s ‘disappointing’ conduct in Asia Cup.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Chief Mohsin Naqvi has strongly criticised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “dragging war into sport”, saying that such remarks undermine the spirit of the game.
Hitting back at Modi, Naqvi, who is also the country’s interior minister, said history has already recorded India’s humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands in the battlefield and cautioned that politicising sport with conflict reflected desperation rather than pride.
“If war was your measure of pride, history already records your humiliating defeats at Pakistan’s hands. No cricket match can rewrite that truth. Dragging war into sport only exposes desperation and disgraces the very spirit of the game,” Naqvi said in a post on X.
The statement came in response to Modi’s illogical tweet after India’s win over Pakistan in Sunday’s Asia Cup 2025 final, where the Indian premier had equated the cricket victory to “Operation Sindoor” to congratulate his players, only to invite widespread condemnation that the remark militarises a sporting event.
Taking a jibe at the Indian leader, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also joined the criticism, saying that Modi was destroying the culture and spirit of cricket for political gain, thereby diminishing chances of peace and conflict resolution in the subcontinent.
“Modi is ending the possibilities of peace and solutions to issues in the subcontinent to save his politics by destroying the culture and spirit of cricket. Honour cannot be regained this way. The score of the Pak-India war, 6-0, has been engraved on stone. We are not saying anything but Modi has been humiliated in India and as well as in the entire world,” Asif wrote on X.
Modi faced criticism for his tweet not only by Pakistani leaders, but also by the people in his own country. Social media users and commentators, even from Indian, quickly condemned the comparison. Critics say equating a cricket match with a military operation risks politicising sport and undermining the game’s spirit.
Reacting to the move, a journalist wrote on X: “A prime minister declaring Cricket Match equal to war. Just because India lost the war to Pakistan, they need anything just anything to compensate for that loss.”
“Equating a cricket win with #OperationSindoor, where our soldiers laid down their lives, is deeply disrespectful,” wrote another user on X while taking a dig at Modi.
Asia Cup trophy debacle
Earlier, the closing ceremony of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 ended in controversy on Sunday after the Indian cricket team declined to collect the winners’ trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also heads the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
India had earlier defeated Pakistan by five wickets in a tense final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium,
However, the post-match presentation was delayed after the Indian side refused to accept the trophy from Naqvi, damaging the gentleman’s game.
The ceremony concluded without the traditional handover, marking an unusual end to the tournament. No customary handshakes were exchanged between players, continuing a pattern from earlier matches where political undercurrents and heightened tensions were evident.
“I have been informed by the ACC that the Indian cricket team will not be collecting their awards tonight. So that does conclude the post-match presentation,” says presenter Simon Doull.
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha said India’s actions during the tournament had been “bad for cricket”.
“I think what has happened in this tournament is very disappointing,” Agha told reporters.
“If they think they disrespected us by not shaking hands, then I say they disrespected cricket.
“It’s been seen for the first time. I do not know where it will stop. What has happened in this tournament is bad for cricket.”
Agha further said that the team would donate their Asia Cup final match fees to families of civilians and children killed in the May Indian attacks.
The Asia Cup marked the first cricketing contest between the two sides since their military confrontation in May, with off-field politics repeatedly overshadowing on-field competition.
— With additional input from AFP
Kendall Jenner is looking forward to spending Christmas with her family, despite going for an unusual plan this year.
The 30-year-old supermodel revealed that the Kardashian-Jenners are stepping away from their traditional extravaganza in favour of an intimate gathering like last year.
The Kardashians star shared that her family had already started planning ahead of time despite the smaller-scale celebration.
“It’s pretty much the usual. Last year, we did a smaller Christmas Eve party, and it was super lovely. Usually, they’re kind of these blowouts for the last, like, since I was born. But we’re doing a smaller one again this year, and I’m really happy about it,” Kendall told People Magazine.
The socialite described the mood for this year’s party as “cosy vibes” similar to how the family spent their Thanksgiving this year, at Kylie Jenner’s house.
A few weeks ago, Kylie shared a series of pictures on her Instagram from their preparation for Thanksgiving dinner, showing Kendall chopping up vegetables, and herself stirring a pot, as well as Hailey Bieber’s infamous cinnamon rolls on their table.
Denise Welch is always standing by her sons’ side, be it any controversy or their career milestones.
The 67-year-old actress, who has been working in showbiz since the 1980s, is immensely proud of Matty Healy, 36, and Louis Healy, 24, and the kids share the sentiment towards their mom, too.
While Denise has been famous for a long time, she recently became a global icon, and during an interview with i-D magazine, she shared The 1975 frontman’s reaction to his mom’s success.
The mom of two noted that Matty is “quite chuffed” about his mom’s fame, who recently released her own Christmas song, Slayy Bells.
“Even my cool son is going, ‘I’ve never done a shoot for i-D before!'” Denise told the outlet.
Speaking of her sons, she added, “If I’m watching Matty headline Glastonbury, or Louis do Stranger Things, everyone around me is going, ‘My God, you must be so proud.’ But I’m more proud of who they are. I’m proud of how they treat the people around them.”
This comes after Denise made headlines earlier this month for her comments on the About You hitmaker’s short-lived relationship with Taylor Swift.
The actress stated that being the pop superstar’s mother-in-law is a role she was glad to have skipped.
Alison Hammond has offered insight into her love life with boyfriend David Putman, as she opened up about their Christmas plans and why their age gap has never been an issue for them.
The TV presenter, 50, met the Russian masseur and model, 28, after booking a massage with him in 2023. She announced their romance in April 2024, sharing a series of photos together on her Instagram page.
The couple later made their red carpet debut two months later at a Candy Kittens bash, where they were joined by Alison’s son, Aidan, 20.
Addressing the 20 year age difference between herself and David, Alison said it has never been a problem, describing him as incredibly ‘mature and sensible,’ while admitting she ‘is not.’
‘Things are going really, really well,’ she gushed in an interview with The Mirror.
‘He just has the most beautiful energy and everyone feels it when they’re in his presence. It’s very rare. I am so grateful that he chooses to spend his life with me.
‘Admitting it feels ‘lovely’ being in love, she added: ‘It makes you more patient, it makes you kinder, because you’ve always got somebody you want to care for — and they’re caring for you.’
Despite the blossoming romance, the pair have said they do not feel the need to get married.
‘I don’t need a ring to show my love to somebody.’
Yet, she left a glimpse of clue revealing if he asked her to marry him tomorrow, ‘it wouldn’t be a no.’
Arsenal vs. Wolves (Dec 13, 2025) Live Score – ESPN
Kendall Jenner gives update on Christmas plans with family
Denise Welch dishes on pride for Matty Healy after Taylor Swift controversy
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