The Asia Cup is once again gripped by controversy, stemming from a contentious handshake incident after India’s victory over Pakistan on September 14th. This episode, where Indian players notably skipped the traditional post-match greetings, continues to fuel widespread debate and has even disrupted the tournament’s schedule.
The tension escalated further when former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir weighed in with a cryptic social media post on Thursday. Sharing a photo with Indian batting legend Virat Kohli, Amir wrote: “One thing is for sure, Virat is the best player and human being in Indian cricket history. Respect.” This seemingly complimentary remark was widely interpreted as a subtle jab at the current Indian team, reigniting the “handshake saga” among fans on both sides of the border.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha at the toss. (AP Photo)
The controversy’s impact extended to the tournament’s logistics. A recent Pakistan-UAE match was delayed by an hour after the PCB reportedly threatened to withdraw, demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, who oversaw the initial India-Pakistan clash. Following discussions with the ICC, tensions reportedly eased, and Pakistan went on to secure a 41-run victory over the UAE, setting up a highly anticipated rematch against India in the Super Four stage.
This image of Mohammad Amir was shared in his viral social media post.
As the teams prepare for their next face-off, Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf has vowed a stronger performance from his squad, acknowledging fan expectations and pledging to meet them. However, it’s Mohammad Amir’s viral post that has truly added another dramatic chapter to this already electrified Asia Cup tournament.