India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Agha in the course of the coin toss at Asia Cup match on September 14, 2025. — ReutersIndia’s handshake snub at toss, post-match stirs cricketing uproar.Yadav’s political speech overshadows win, critics say spirit of recreation misplaced.Pakistan’s sleek conduct contrasts India’s petty behaviour on discipline.
DUBAI: The Indian cricket crew’s refusal to shake arms with Pakistan gamers at Sunday’s conflict at Asia Cup 2025 has ignited outrage and renewed debate over India’s dedication to the spirit of cricket.
Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident, describing it as a blatant snub. Taking to X, Naqvi stated such behaviour tarnishes the gentleman’s recreation.
“Utterly disappointing to witness the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace,” Naqvi wrote.
The incident was not restricted to the top of the match. Even on the toss, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav reportedly declined to shake arms with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha — a gesture that set the tone for what adopted.
Selecting to bat first beneath skipper Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan had been restricted to 127 for 9. The innings bought off to a rocky begin, with Saim Ayub out for a duck and Mohammad Haris for simply three. Sahibzada Farhan held the innings along with a gritty 40 off 44 deliveries, whereas Fakhar Zaman chipped in with 17 earlier than falling to Axar Patel.
Shaheen Afridi offered late fireworks, smashing 33 off solely 16 balls with 4 towering sixes, guaranteeing Pakistan crossed the 120 mark. Faheem Ashraf (11) and Sufiyan Muqeem (10) provided small however beneficial contributions.
India chased the goal down with ease, reaching it inside 16 overs for the lack of three wickets. Captain Suryakumar Yadav anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47, sealing the match with a six. Tilak Varma (31) and Abhishek (31 off simply 13) performed aggressive supporting knocks.
It wasn’t the outcome, however what occurred subsequent that dominated world cricket chatter. As an alternative of following cricket’s time-honoured custom, Yadav and Shivam Dube fist-bumped and walked straight to the dressing room. Indian gamers had been seen shaking arms solely with teammates within the dugout, refusing any interplay with Pakistan’s gamers.
The Males in Inexperienced, regardless of the loss, waited for the Indians to shake arms as per custom earlier than exiting the sphere.
The handshake snub drew swift criticism from the cricketing and politician fraternity.
The controversy deepened when Yadav, throughout his post-match speech, referenced the latest Pahalgam assault — a comment critics say politicised the sport and additional soured the sporting spirit of the competition.
Former star pacer Shoaib Akhtar stated that the sportsmen ought to “fight” within the recreation however keep skilled and present required gestures outdoors the sphere.
“Shake hands, hug it out. But when the match starts, fight like champions!,” he wrote on X.
In the meantime, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez regretted the dearth of sportsmanship by merely writing “Sportsmanship” with a brokenheart emoji.
TV host Fakhar-e-Alam additionally to to the social media platform and stated that political conflicts and sports activities “should be kept separate”.
“Handshakes on the playing field is an honourable thing to do,” he wrote.
Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry went additional, describing India’s behaviour as a psychological meltdown and mockingly suggesting that the UN launch a “rehab plan” for India — with Pakistan main the initiative.
Followers on X referred to as India’s refusal “petty”, accusing the crew of turning sport into politics:
Listed here are just a few reactions:
India could have taken the factors, however many argue Pakistan received the ethical victory by sustaining dignity and respect regardless of defeat. Commentators and followers alike have urged that cricket stay above politics and that fundamental courtesies — like a post-match handshake — mustn’t ever be sacrificed.
