'IND vs PAK rivalry has crossed all limits' - Kamran Akmal urges ICC to enforce strict rules in India vs Pakistan matches

Saurav Goyal

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'IND vs PAK rivalry has crossed all limits' - Kamran Akmal urges ICC to enforce strict rules in India vs Pakistan matches image

The India vs Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup 2025 have become very intense, and even former players are noticing how things have gone too far.

These games have not only been about cricket anymore. There have been on-field arguments, unusual celebrations, and lots of pressure from the crowds, making the rivalry even more heated.

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Kamran Akmal, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper, has now called for the ICC to step in and ensure stricter regulations are applied to maintain decorum in this historic rivalry.

Kamran Akmal feel the India vs Pakistan rivalry has gone too far

Speaking on The Game Plan Podcast on YouTube, Akmal said that the games before the 14th of the tournament went smoothly. But after that, things changed.

"The matches before the 14th went smoothly. But after the 14th, you know how the games started unfolding. In my opinion, a line was crossed, which triggered reactions. When the crowd starts making noises, it’s obvious that anyone would react," said Akmal.

He explained that even young players like Tilak Varma were visibly responding to the crowd, showing that the intensity has spiraled out of control.

According to him, the situation has become difficult to manage unless strict rules are enforced by the governing bodies.

"I was watching, and even someone like Tilak Varma was responding to the crowd’s behavior. I think the line has been crossed, and now it’s very difficult to stop this unless strict rules are enforced. That needs to be addressed, and only then can a resolution be reached," he added.

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What measures does he suggest for controlling the matches?

Akmal believes that cricket can only return to being a gentleman’s game if both teams and authorities take concrete steps.

“You can’t stop the players from both teams now because the violations have been so significant, unlike anything we’ve seen in cricket before. If you want to restore cricket as a gentleman’s game and keep it smooth, something substantial needs to be done,” he said.

He stressed the importance of dialogue between India and Pakistan to improve relations and reduce tensions.

He warned that without it, these reactions and controversies would continue in every fixture, regardless of the strength of the teams.

"This will only happen if both nations sit down face-to-face at the table and improve their relations. Otherwise, these issues will persist in every match. No matter how weak Pakistan’s team becomes or how weak India’s team might get, even if we become number one, these reactions will continue. The ICC needs to step in and address this," he concluded.

For fans and players alike, it’s a warning that cricket’s spirit of being a gentleman's sport can be at stake if these issues are not resolved.

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Saurav Goyal

Saurav Goyal is a Content Producer at the Sporting News with over two years of experience in covering cricket. An avid cricket fan for more than two decades, his passion for the game led him to writing. Since then, he’s been delivering the latest news and engaging content to keep cricket fans informed and entertained.