India captain Suryakumar Yadav (left) and Pakistan captain Salman Agha stand at the coin toss of the Asia Cup cricket final (AP Photo) Salman Ali Agha has reopened the debate surrounding the Asia Cup 2025 handshake controversy, revisiting an incident that garnered widespread attention during last year’s tournament. The episode occurred when India captain Suryakumar Yadav chose not to engage in the customary pre-match handshake with his Pakistan counterpart. The decision was seen as a gesture of solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives and came at a time of heightened tension following Operation Sindoor. The attitude wasn’t limited to pitching. Indian players also avoided handshakes after matches and maintained an approach in all three encounters with Pakistan, including the final, which India won. The issue has now resurfaced after Agha spoke about it during an appearance on the ARY podcast. He revealed that the initial interaction between the two parties was normal. “There was a press conference before the tournament, during which there was a handshake. We also shook hands during the trophy photo. So when I went to the draw, I was completely normal. Of course, I had an idea that it would not be so normal, but I did not think that it would escalate to the point where there would be no more handshakes.” I didn’t expect Agha. Agha also said that he was informed about the decision in advance. “I went to the toss with my media manager Naim Bhai. The referee of the match – I can’t remember his name – took me aside and said: ‘They will do it; there will be no handshake, so please bear that in mind’. I replied: ‘If there is no handshake, then let it happen’. It wouldn’t be like I said that before, that I was desperate.” after the match ended we lost and we went to their pavilion to shake hands, they still didn’t shake hands,” he added. With a broader impact in mind, Agha emphasized the responsibility that comes with being a public figure. “I’ve said it many times, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. When we’re representing the nation – and I’m playing for Pakistan – people are watching me. The kids will notice and if it happens the next day in a club game, it will be because of me in a way because I’m a part of it. When you’re a role model, I believe doing these things is important,” he said. The controversy went beyond interactions on the field. During the post-match presentation of the Asia Cup final, the Indian team refused to receive the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chief Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister and heads the Pakistan Cricket Board. The players kept their distance, reflecting unease at his role and previous remarks regarding India. The ceremony was plagued with delays and although individual awards were handed out, the trophy presentation did not take place in full. Naqvi eventually left the venue with the trophy, which India has yet to formally receive despite winning the tournament. India later maintained the same no-handshake approach during the T20 World Cup, signaling that the stance was not a one-off decision but part of an ongoing stance.
