In a powerful call for unity, West Indian veteran Jason Holder has voiced his deep disappointment over the toxic atmosphere surrounding the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, particularly following the farcical conclusion to the Asia Cup 2025. Speaking on the Willow by Cricbuzz podcast on January 7, 2026, Holder lamented the “beef” that has seen the two powerhouses trade the spirit of the game for geopolitical grandstanding.
The former Windies captain’s remarks come in the wake of a historic low where political tensions led to a complete breakdown of sporting etiquette on a global stage. Holder argued that when icons choose to keep their distance, they fail a generation of fans who look to sport as a medium for world peace. With the T20 World Cup 2026 looming, his plea highlights a growing concern that the game’s greatest rivalry is being consumed by a divide that no longer belongs on the 22 yards.
Jason Holder views on the Asia Cup 2025 fiasco between India and Pakistan
The most jarring moment cited by Holder was the conclusion of the Asia Cup 2025 final, where the winning Indian team declined to participate in the formal trophy presentation due to the presence of PCB and ACC chief Mohsin Naqvi. Holder expressed his frustration at how these off-field issues have completely overshadowed the achievement of the players and the beauty of the sport.
“Honestly, I don’t like this whole India-Pakistan beef. This India-Pakistan beef which stems way beyond the cricket field is just sad. They are two powerhouses in world cricket, and to see how things have transpired… I saw India win the Asia Cup and didn’t go up and accept the trophy, I think it’s too much. These things shouldn’t be in our game, especially if we are ambassadors for the world.” Holder said during Game on with Grace Hayden.
Holder calls for world peace after military standoff between India and Pakistan
Holder expanded on the responsibility that elite athletes carry, noting that cricketers in both India and Pakistan are “idols and inspirers” for millions. He argued that the current hostility at the board and team levels contradicts the message of global unity that sports should ideally promote, especially during times of heightened regional conflict like the Operation Sindoor military standoff in 2025.
“If we’re talking about world peace and making the world a better place, that’s not what you want to see from your idols and your inspirers. If you’re trying to inspire a generation and a world then you have got to try and find a way to come together. Yes, that can be happening off the field, but I think a way to quieten it and deaden it is by India and Pakistan joining forces in the sport. I think that would be huge for the context of everything.” Holder added.
‘Stop this war between India and Pakistan’: Jason Holder
Drawing a parallel to other sporting legends who have influenced political landscapes, Holder invoked the story of Didier Drogba and his role in pausing the civil war in Ivory Coast. He urged Indian and Pakistani stars to recognize that their actions on a “everyday level” could actually influence the governments and the general public to move away from the cycle of war and toward a more peaceful coexistence.
“I remember Didier Drogba, who was one of my sporting heroes, he was the mastermind behind the Ivory Coast coming together and trying to plead to their nation to cease fire, stop the violence. It’s one of those moments you see the power and influence in sportsmen and athletes and influential figures. I would love to see more of that from a cricketing standpoint between India and Pakistan… if they can do it on the field, then the two countries could probably say look, it’s done on a sporting level, maybe we can do it on an everyday level, stop this fighting, stop this war between India and Pakistan.” Holder concluded.
Jason Holder on the India & Pakistan conflict pic.twitter.com/Gq3Ko4eS9k
— Usman (@jamilmusman_) January 7, 2026
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