DUBAI: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha strongly condemned India’s conduct during the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, stating that their behavior has damaged the reputation of cricket.
The tournament, already overshadowed by controversies, witnessed Indian players refusing to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers and later declining to accept the championship trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
This unusual protest caused a one-hour delay in the post-match presentation ceremony, sparking criticism from cricket experts and former players, including Ravi Shastri.
Despite the delay, individual awards were distributed. Kuldeep Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Tilak Varma collected honors for their outstanding performances in the final, while Salman Ali Agha accepted the runner-up cheque on behalf of Pakistan. Kuldeep was later recognized as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, and Abhishek Sharma was awarded Player of the Tournament after scoring 314 runs in seven innings.
However, the closing ceremony ended abruptly without the official trophy presentation. Presenter Simon Doull confirmed the ceremony’s conclusion after India refused to collect their awards.
Agha’s Disappointment with India
Addressing the press, Salman Ali Agha expressed deep frustration:
“They’re not disrespecting us by refusing handshakes; they’re disrespecting cricket itself. Good teams don’t behave this way.”
Agha revealed that India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav personally shook hands with him in private but avoided doing so in front of cameras, suggesting the decision was not his own but rather imposed by higher authorities.
The Pakistan skipper further emphasized that refusing handshakes was unprecedented in cricket history, calling it damaging to the spirit of the game.
“This is the first time I’ve seen such behavior in cricket. It sets a poor example for fans and young players in both countries.”
A Message to Fans and Victims
Before ending the press conference, Salman Ali Agha announced that the Pakistani team would donate their Asia Cup final match fees to families affected by recent Indian attacks on Pakistan.
“We want to stand with the civilians and children impacted by these tragedies,” he said.
The Asia Cup 2025 concluded in controversy, leaving cricket fans questioning the future of sportsmanship in high-profile rivalries like India vs Pakistan.