ACB Promo Row: In the video of Afghan Cricket Board, PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan were shown as part of India, created huge uproar in Pakistan.

An official promotional video released by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to promote the upcoming cricket series between India and Afghanistan has created a major geopolitical stir in the sporting relations between the two countries. The visual graphics used in this video clearly depict Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan as part of India’s sovereign geographical map.

As soon as this promotional video went live on social media platforms, there was a situation of huge anger and panic in Pakistan. Pakistani social media users, cricket analysts and political commentators are making scathing attacks on the Afghan Cricket Board. In Pakistan, this is being described as a ‘big diplomatic blow’ and a move to sideline Pakistan’s claims at the international level.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board had released a high quality promo of approximately 1 minute 15 seconds, describing its bilateral series with India as historic and exciting. The video prominently featured the strong sporting ties between the two countries, the historical monuments of Delhi and the love of cricket between the two teams.

The controversy started when a VFX-based globe and geographical maps of both the countries emerged on the screen in the middle of the video. The graphics showed the entire official map of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh as well as PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, currently under Pakistan control, within India’s borders. This map of India is in line with its official and constitutional stand, which makes it clear that the entire Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India.

After this video went viral, sharp reactions are being seen in the sports and political circles of Pakistan:

• Question on Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB): Many users in Pakistan are demanding from their own government and PCB to lodge a formal protest with the Afghanistan Cricket Board and take up the matter with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

• Durand Line and chronic stress: Tension is already at its peak between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the demarcation (Durand Line) and frequent border skirmishes. In such a situation, this map issued by the Cricket Board is being considered as a well-thought-out strategic message in Pakistan.

• Protest and demand for clarification on social media: Pakistani media outlets and social media influencers allege that Pakistan’s claims are being deliberately ignored due to the increasing proximity of Kabul and New Delhi.

On the other hand, Indian fans and sports lovers have widely welcomed this video of the Afghan Cricket Board. India has long been the second home of Afghanistan cricket, where world-class grounds like Greater Noida, Dehradun and Lucknow’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium have provided the home ground for the Afghan team to make its mark at the international level.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Government of India have always supported the training, infrastructure and technical development of Afghan players. In such a situation, the display of the real and historical map of India in the promo also underlines the deep trust and sporting harmony between the two countries.

International affairs experts believe that the Taliban administration and Afghan institutions are going through a period of great bitterness in relations with Pakistan. Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees and cross-border trade restrictions in recent months have pushed relations between the two countries to their lowest ebb.

In such an environment, showing Gilgit-Baltistan and PoK as part of India in the official video of the Afghan Cricket Board is being considered not just a technical mistake, but a natural reflection of the broader public sentiment of Afghanistan and its strong partnership with New Delhi. However, amidst the uproar, it will be interesting to see whether the Afghanistan Cricket Board gives any reaction to this all-round protest by Pakistan or remains firm on its stand.