Indian journalist and presenter Shubhankar Mishra joked with a Pakistani fan that his country must return two trophies before India and Pakistan plan more matches.
The exchange took place at the World Championship of Legends (WCL).
The fan had asked to shift Saturday and Sunday matches to Monday and Tuesday. Mishra hit back with a joke saying, “Return both our trophies, then we can plan it!”
The controversy around Asia Cup trophies began after India beat Pakistan in the 2025 final in Dubai and refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, who leads the Asian Cricket Council and chairs the Pakistan Cricket Board. Naqvi insisted India must collect it from him. The trophy stayed at the council’s offices in Dubai.
India’s women’s team repeated the move this year, declining to receive the Women’s Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai.
The fan also asked how Pakistan cricket can improve and where it is heading. Mishra answered with a joke from Virender Sehwag, who once said, “Make me the head coach, then I’ll give advice and take money.” Mishra said that capable people often sit outside the system, questioning whether those inside are good enough.
Mishra said Pakistan cricket will improve only if constant player changes and selection politics stop. He pointed to young players as the way forward, pointing out that Mohammad Haris played very well and that Saim Ayub looks impressive now that he has become a bowling all-rounder.
“If this ends in politics, and ends here too, then perhaps both will become better,” he remarked.
The conversation then turned to Babar Azam. The fan said Babar is struggling and that Pakistan is ruining him. Mishra recalled that Babar once tweeted “This too shall pass” for Virat Kohli, and he offered Babar the same message.
Pakistan’s latest results show a team in action. Led by new captain Sahibzada Farhan, Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I in Rawalpindi on October 9, with Farhan scoring 89 off 53 balls in a chase of 183. Pakistan then won the second match by 82 runs on October 11 to clinch the three-match series. Sri Lanka won the third match on October 13, chasing 169 in fewer than 17 overs, so Pakistan finished the series 2-1.
The next test comes quickly. An ODI tri-series with Sri Lanka and England opens on October 18 in Rawalpindi, when Pakistan face Sri Lanka again.
The tournament moves to Lahore later in the month, while the final takes place at Gaddafi Stadium on October 31.
