Note: The title is referencing a hypothetical scenario in which the concept of using cricket as a diplomatic tool between India and Pakistan has failed, and tensions between the two nations have now accompanied the sport.“Diplomatic efforts through cricket disintegrate, as India-Pakistan tensions infiltrate the regional sports arena | South and central Asia”

As nationalistic rivalries run deep between India and Pakistan. Despite their wars, nuclear tests, and border conflicts, cricket has traditionally united them. However, the camaraderie known as cricket diplomacy disappeared in a recent Asia Cup match, where India’s victory was marked by a refusal to shake hands with Pakistan, following Delhi’s accusation of Islamabad’s involvement in a Kashmiri terrorist attack and subsequent military actions. India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, justified the gesture as a “team call” and dedicated the win to India’s armed forces. Pakistan was ready for the traditional post-match handshake, expressing disappointment over India’s decision. The incident, noted as a decline in cricket diplomacy, reflects the strained relations between India and Pakistan, a trend that started to manifest after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Under Modi’s nationalist government in India and the military’s influence in Pakistan, cricket has become politicized. Analysts like Sushant Singh and cricket historian Osman Samiuddin lament the loss of fraternal ties through cricket, noting that political tensions now overshadow sportsmanship, setting a concerning precedent for future international matches.