The stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to the Asia Cup 2025! This Sunday, cricket fans worldwide will witness a high-stakes final between arch-rivals India and Pakistan at the iconic Dubai International Stadium. Expect nothing less than intense drama and fierce competition as both nations battle for the coveted championship title.
However, the build-up to this monumental clash hasn’t been without its share of controversy. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has not forgotten the contentious handshake incidents that marred earlier matches in the tournament.
The Asia Cup 2025 culminates with a highly anticipated final between India and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium. (ACC Photo)
During the group-stage encounter, India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, controversially refused to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart after the match, even skipping the traditional post-match ceremony. This ‘no-handshake’ drama continued into the Super 4 stage, where Indian players again departed the field after their victory, only exchanging courtesies with the match officials.
Speaking ahead of the final, Agha directly addressed the issue, stressing that such behavior sets a “poor precedent” for the spirit of cricket.
“As far as handshakes are concerned, I’ve been playing professional cricket since 2007 at the under-16 level,” Agha stated in the pre-match press conference. “I’ve never seen two teams not shaking hands during a match. Even my father is a big cricket fan, and I’ve heard stories about the game from him. He never mentioned that two teams playing cricket didn’t shake hands. India and Pakistan have faced each other before, even when relations between the countries were worse, and handshakes always happened. According to me, no handshakes are not good for cricket.”
Despite the ongoing off-field drama, Agha emphasized his team’s unwavering focus on the upcoming game. “We don’t focus on what we can’t control. Media talk, outside noise—we ignore it. Our goal is the Asia Cup. We came here to play good cricket, and tomorrow we’ll aim to win the final,” he asserted.
The Pakistan captain also exuded confidence in his team’s ability to triumph. “Inshallah, you’ll see us winning. If we play our best cricket and execute for 40 overs, we can beat any team,” he declared.