Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly did not hold back in criticizing Pakistan’s cricket team following India’s Asia Cup 2025 clash on Sunday, amid the ongoing no-handshake controversy. Speaking at a public event in Kolkata, Ganguly ridiculed the current Pakistani side, stating that he switched off the India-Pakistan match just 15 overs in to watch the Manchester Derby instead.
“Pakistan are no longer a competitive side. I would watch India play Australia, England, South Africa, even Afghanistan, rather than watching Pakistan,” Ganguly said, reflecting on the decline of standards in modern Pakistani cricket. He recalled the golden generation of Pakistan cricket with players like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Saeed Anwar, and Javed Miandad, emphasizing the stark contrast with today’s team.
“There is no competition between India and Pakistan anymore. Pakistan are no match. I say that with respect it’s just the lack of quality in the side,” he added. Ganguly also highlighted India’s depth, noting that even without stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the Indian team remains far ahead of Pakistan and most other Asia Cup sides.
Addressing the handshake controversy, Ganguly deferred to India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, saying, “You’ll have to ask Suryakumar Yadav. He has answered it… everyone has their own side of the story.” He concluded with a broader reflection on the role of sport and society: “Terror must stop, that’s most important all around the world, not just India and Pakistan. But sports also cannot stop.”
