TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: The handshake row during the 2025
Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan took an ugly turn in Dubai.
TimesofIndia.com has learnt that match referee Andy Pycroft instructed captain Salman Ali Agha to avoid shaking hands with
Suryakumar Yadav at the toss, and the Pakistan team management has lodged a complaint against India for not showing sportsmanship.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "The match referee Andy Pycroft had asked captain Salman Ali Agha, at the time of the toss, not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart. The Pakistan team management has lodged a protest, calling the behaviour against the spirit of sports," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
"Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest against the behaviour of the Indian team, as the ceremony host was also an Indian."
Suryakumar Yadav dedicated Sunday’s emphatic seven-wicket win over Pakistan to the armed forces, expressing solidarity with the families of the victims of the
Pahalgam terror attack as India outclassed their neighbours in a completely one-sided contest to underline their dominance in the Asia Cup clash.
India's captain Suryakumar Yadav plays a shot during the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. AP/PTI(AP09_14_2025_000578A)
“Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims and families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. I want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. I hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to put a smile on their face,” he said at the post-match presentation.
Unusual scenes unfolded at the end of the match after Suryakumar sealed the win with a six, shook hands only with batting partner Shivam Dube, and walked off without acknowledging the Pakistani players.
A similar moment occurred at the toss, when Suryakumar and Salman Ali Agha skipped the customary handshake. Even broadcaster Ravi Shastri, who conducted the toss, did not exchange pleasantries with Agha.
At the post-match press conference, Suryakumar said: “I think that was our proper reply. Our government and the BCCI were aligned, and together we took a call. We came here only to play cricket.”
He added: “I feel a few things in life are ahead of sportsmanship. I said at the presentation as well that we stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. And we stand with their families too, expressing our solidarity.
"Also, as I said at the post-match presentation, we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor. And as they continue to inspire us all, we will try our best, whenever given an opportunity, to inspire them as well, if possible.”
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson confirmed Salman Ali Agha’s absence from the presentation was a reaction to India’s stance.
“I think it's just the flow-on effect of the fact that we were obviously keen to engage and shake hands at the end of the match. That didn't happen. That was pretty much the end of it,” Hesson said.
“Obviously, we were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We were disappointed that our opposition didn't do that. We sort of went over there to shake hands and they were already going to the changing room. That was a disappointing way for the match to end. In a match where we were already disappointed with the way we played, we were at least willing to go and shake hands.”
Catch Lovlina Borgohain's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 5. Watch Here Pratyush Raj is a cricket journalist with TOI Sports, specializin...
Read MorePratyush Raj is a cricket journalist with TOI Sports, specializing in all things cricket, both on and off the field. He began his career with the Business Standard before following his passion as a sports reporter for the Times of India in Chandigarh. Pratyush has also contributed to the sports coverage of India Today Group and his last stint was with The Indian Express. His love for sports was nurtured during his upbringing in flood-prone Saharsa, a district in North Bihar, where Cricket Samrat was his constant companion.
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