AB de Villiers Faces Backlash after Statement on India-Pakistan Asia Cup Controversy

Former South African Cricket Star AB de Villiers has sparked a firestorm of criticism on social media following his comments on the trophy presentation controversy at the Asia Cup 2025 final. In a video on his YouTube channel "AB de Villiers 360", the 41-year-old legend expressed dismay at Team India's refusal to accept the winners' trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister. De Villiers, a fan favourite in India for his IPL stints with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, argued that such incidents undermine the spirit of the game, placing players in uncomfortable positions amid geopolitical tensions.

De Villiers, reflecting on the awkward ceremony, said, "Team India sort of weren't happy with who was handing out the trophy. I don't feel that belongs in sport. Politics should stay aside. Sport is one thing, and it should be celebrated for what it is. Quite sad to see that... It was quite awkward there at the end." While acknowledging the players' predicament, he lamented how such moments tarnish cricket's unifying essence. The ACC later expressed regret, calling the situation "unfortunate and avoidable," and Naqvi issued a private apology to council members after a heated meeting with BCCI officials.

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De Villiers' remarks quickly ignited backlash online, with Indian fans accusing him of hypocrisy given South Africa's own history of racial quotas in cricket selections. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) labelled him an "IPL mercenary" who profits from Indian leagues yet lectures on the issue. One user wrote, "Meet AB de Villiers. He comes to India to earn money during IPL... And then he criticises the BCCI's stand for not collecting the Asia Cup trophy from the hands of politician Mohsin Naqvi."

Another quipped, "Your own country’s cricket selection runs on colour quota and politics, so you have no right to lecture." Calls for boycotting his content trended briefly, highlighting the emotional undercurrents of India-Pakistan cricket rivalries.

Despite the uproar, de Villiers balanced his critique by lauding India's dominant run, including Tilak Varma's match-winning knock in the final. "India are looking really, really strong. Building up to that big T20 World Cup... They play the big moments well. "So fantastic," he noted, shifting focus back to the sport.

The episode underscores ongoing debates about separating cricket from politics in the region, where bilateral ties remain suspended since 2008, limiting encounters to multi-nation events like the Asia Cup.

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