Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha stands subsequent to the trophy in the course of the toss earlier than the beginning of the Asia Cup 2025 Twenty20 worldwide cricket remaining towards India in Dubai on September 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Salman Ali Agha feels that Indian workforce’s ‘No Handshake’ coverage whereas taking part in towards Pakistan within the Asia Cup was “disrespectful” to the sport and never the very best instance of sportsmanship for the younger followers who search for to cricketers as function fashions.
India beat arch-rivals Pakistan by 5 wickets in a extremely unstable Asia Cup remaining in Dubai on Sunday (September 28, 2025) to win their second event title within the T20 format.
“What India have done this tournament is very disappointing. They are not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they are disrespecting cricket. Good teams don’t do what they did,” the Pakistan skipper stated on the post-match press convention.
For Salman, fulfilling obligations is part of taking part in the game.
“We went to pose with the trophy (photo shoot) on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. I don’t want to use harsh words but they’ve been very disrespectful.”
‘Shook palms in personal, behaved in a different way in public’
Salman claimed that Suryakumar has been a unique particular person in public when it got here to exchanging courtesy in contrast to how he behaved in personal.
“He shook hands with me in private at the start of the tournament, both at the pre-tournament press conference, and when we met in the referee’s meeting. But when they’re out in the world in front of the cameras, they don’t shake our hands.
“I’m certain he is following the directions he is been given, but if it was up to him, he’d shake palms with me.” Salman tried to justify Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi’s decision to stand on the presentation dais before walking away with the trophy. He said India were not awarded the trophy as they didn’t want to collect it from the PCB chief.
“Everything that occurred at present was a consequence of all that occurred (earlier than). Of course, the ACC president will give the trophy to the winners. If you will not take the trophy from him, how will you get it?” he countered.
He felt that sooner or later this type of issues wants to cease.
“This is the primary time I’ve ever seen this occur. Whatever occurred on this event was very dangerous, and I hope it stops at some stage as a result of it is dangerous for cricket.”
The Pakistan captain said these kind of incidents will set a wrong example for budding cricketers.
“I’m not only a Pakistan captain, I’m a cricket fan. If a child is watching in India or Pakistan, we’re not sending them an excellent message.” Why it unfolded the way it did is a question only India should answer, Salman said.
“People consider us as function fashions, but if we’re behaving like this, we’re not inspiring them. What occurred should not have occurred, but it is best to ask the folks liable for this (Indian cricket workforce) somewhat than me.”
While concluding his press conference, Salman, apparently in an afterthought, claimed that the match fees of the entire Pakistan team will be donated to the families of those who died during the ‘Operation Sindoor’.
The Asia Cup was being held in the backdrop of border tensions between India and Pakistan after 26 tourists were killed by terrorists in Pahalgam earlier this year leading to military action by India under Operation Sindoor.
Published – September 29, 2025 10:26 am IST