Indian cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav found himself at the center of a heated discussion during the Asia Cup 2025 final, not for his stellar batting, but for a contentious decision on the field. Pakistan legend Wasim Akram openly questioned Yadav’s call for an ‘obstruction on the field’ check during Pakistan’s innings in Dubai on Sunday, labeling it as completely uncalled for.
The incident unfolded in the 16th over when Pakistan’s Salman Agha pushed a ball from Axar Patel towards extra cover, quickly attempting two runs. Suryakumar, actively patrolling the infield, dove to field the ball, fumbled momentarily, and then threw it back. The throw unfortunately struck Agha as he completed his second run. Without hesitation, SKY (Suryakumar Yadav) appealed to the umpires for obstruction, confidently stating, “You check it.”
However, replays clearly showed Agha running a straight line, without any deviation or deliberate change in direction. The third umpire swiftly reviewed the footage and dismissed the appeal, ruling in favor of the batter and confirming no foul play had occurred.
Reacting to the event, legendary pace bowler Wasim Akram did not mince words. “It was completely unnecessary,” Akram commented, suggesting that Yadav’s appeal was unwarranted at that crucial juncture of the game. His direct criticism immediately sparked a lively debate among cricket fans and pundits alike, prompting discussions about whether it was a tactic of gamesmanship, an instance of overzealous captaincy, or simply a leader leaving no stone unturned.
Controversy aside, the Asia Cup final saw India assert strong dominance. After a solid start of 84 without loss, Pakistan suffered a dramatic collapse, losing an astonishing nine wickets for just 33 runs. Sahibzada Farhan (57) and Fakhar Zaman (46) were the only significant contributors as Pakistan was bowled out for a mere 146 runs in 19.1 overs. India’s spin wizard Kuldeep Yadav was the star with the ball, picking up an impressive 4/30, while Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel each secured two wickets.
This spectacular collapse solidified India’s commanding position in the match, yet Suryakumar Yadav’s unconventional appeal remained a significant talking point long after the game concluded.