The cricketing world is buzzing as the Asia Cup 2025 culminates this Sunday with an electrifying final showdown between fierce rivals India and Pakistan. Set to unfold at the iconic Dubai International Stadium, this highly anticipated match promises a spectacle of drama, intense competition, and high stakes as both nations vie for the prestigious title.
Amidst the build-up, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, has publicly addressed the lingering controversy from earlier in the tournament regarding a series of handshake incidents.
The dispute originated during a group-stage encounter when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav notably declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart after the match, bypassing the traditional post-game formalities.
This unusual no-handshake stance continued into their Super 4 match, where, following India’s victory, players reportedly left the field after only acknowledging the umpires, leaving their Pakistani counterparts without the customary exchange of courtesies.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Agha voiced his strong disapproval, emphasizing that such conduct establishes a detrimental precedent for the sport’s integrity. He recounted, “I’ve been involved in professional cricket since 2007, starting at the under-16 level, and I have never witnessed two teams failing to shake hands after a game. My father, a fervent cricket enthusiast, has also shared countless stories about the sport, none of which included instances where teams refused a handshake. Even during periods of strained relations between India and Pakistan, handshakes have always been a given. In my view, the absence of handshakes is simply not good for cricket.”
Despite the brewing controversy, Agha assured that his team’s focus remains squarely on their performance. “We choose to ignore what is beyond our control — the media chatter and external distractions,” he stated. “Our singular objective is the Asia Cup. We arrived here to play exceptional cricket, and tomorrow, our sole ambition is to triumph in the final.”
Concluding with a strong note of confidence, Agha declared, “God willing, you will see us emerge victorious. If we deliver our top performance and execute our strategies effectively for all 40 overs, we are capable of defeating any team.”