Shows how educated they are, want publicity: Madan Lal hits back at Yousuf for derogatory remarks on Suryakumar
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Madan Lal has slammed former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf for his rude comments against Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav. The drama unfolded after India’s thrilling 7-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup match in Dubai on Sunday, amid rising tensions between the two nations.
Ties between India and Pakistan hit a new low following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, where Pakistan-backed terrorists killed 26 tourists. Despite calls to boycott the high-stakes India-Pakistan cricket clash, the game went ahead, but it was full of controversy. After India’s win, Suryakumar and his teammates skipped the traditional post-match handshake with the opposition. In response, Pakistan’s players boycotted the presentation ceremony.
During a chat on Samaa TV, Yousuf fired off at Suryakumar, mispronouncing his name as “Suarkumar” and accusing India of manipulating umpires to their advantage. The former Pakistan batter’s derogatory remarks have sparked outrage.
Madan Lal didn’t hold back in his response to . The 74-year-old cricket legend called Yousuf’s outburst a cheap publicity stunt. “Look at these former Pakistani cricketers—they keep criticizing their own team out of frustration. Now they’re abusing players from the other side. This just shows their level of education. Abusing anyone isn’t right. We’re giving them the publicity they crave. YouTubers in Pakistan bash India to boost their views—it’s all about those hits and their so-called moral principles,” Madan said.
He also dismissed Yousuf’s complaints about umpires, pointing to modern cricket technology like DRS (Decision Review System). “Umpiring is straightforward now with DRS in play. If a batter’s out, they can challenge it to the third umpire. We’ve seen a couple of decisions reversed in this match. Why complain? Technology sorts everything out. But players need to know when to use a DRS wisely,” Madan added.
The handshake controversy boiled over when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft. They accused him of breaching ICC Code of Conduct and the spirit of cricket under MCC laws. Pakistan even threatened to quit the Asia Cup if they don’t get a favorable ruling.
Madan Lal shrugged off the threats, saying cricket won’t miss a beat without Pakistan. “If they pull out, their cricket will suffer—no improvement, confidence dips, and standards drop. Wins build your game and your nation’s pride. But if they don’t play, who cares? Someone else steps in for the semifinals. The world keeps turning. Focus on playing well instead of empty threats. Our team did great, yet they’re getting abused for it,” he concluded.
The India-Pakistan cricket rivalry continues to grab headlines, but Madan urges both sides to prioritize the sport over needless drama.
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