The tension between India and Pakistan escalated beyond the field after the Asia Cup 2025 final, with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha accusing India skipper Suryakumar Yadav of “hypocrisy” and “disrespecting the spirit of cricket.” India defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the final, completing a clean sweep after beating them in all three encounters during the tournament.
“He Shook My Hand in Private” – Agha
Speaking to reporters after the match, Agha revealed that Suryakumar had shaken his hand twice before the start of the tournament — once during the pre-tournament press conference and again at the match referee’s meeting. However, he noted that once the cameras were rolling, India’s players consistently avoided the traditional post-match handshake.
“He shook hands with me in private at the start of the tournament. But in front of the cameras, they refuse to do so,” Agha said. “I’m sure he’s following orders, but if it were up to him, he would have shaken my hand.”
India’s decision not to engage in the customary gesture was widely seen as a reflection of the ongoing political tensions between the two countries. The situation escalated further when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) accused match referee Andy Pycroft of stopping the handshake after the group-stage match and even threatened to withdraw from the tournament if he wasn’t replaced — a demand the ICC dismissed outright.
“India Disrespected Cricket”
Agha went on to criticize the Indian team’s behavior throughout the tournament, accusing them of undermining the spirit of sportsmanship.
“What India did was very disappointing. It’s not just us they’re disrespecting — they’re disrespecting cricket,” he said.
The Pakistan captain also expressed frustration over the trophy presentation ceremony, where Suryakumar and his team declined to receive the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as PCB chief and a minister in Pakistan.
“Good teams don’t behave like that,” Agha added. “We went ahead and posed with the trophy because we wanted to fulfill our duties. We stood there and took our medals. I don’t want to use harsh words, but this was extremely disrespectful. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like it. I hope this behavior stops because it’s bad for cricket.”
A New Flashpoint in an Old Rivalry
The handshake controversy has added yet another layer of friction to the already intense India-Pakistan cricket rivalry. While India dominated the series on the field, Pakistan’s captain made it clear that the fallout off the field left a bitter taste — one that could influence how future encounters between the two sides are perceived.
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