Salman Ali Agha Reopened around asian cup Handshake Controversy 2025, revisiting an incident that attracted widespread attention during last year’s event. Incident happened to Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav Opting not to have the customary pre-match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. The decision was seen as a show of solidarity with the victims of the incident. Pahalgam terror attackKilled 26 people and occurred at a time of heightened tensions operation sindoor. Postures are not limited to tossing. Indian players also avoided shaking hands after the match, maintaining the handshake pattern in all three matches Pakistanincluding the finals, India won them all. The issue has now resurfaced after Agha spoke about it during an appearance on the ARY podcast. He revealed that the initial interaction between the two parties was normal. “Before the game, there was a press conference, during which handshakes were done. We also shook hands during the trophy photo shoot. So, when I went to throw, I was completely normal. Of course, I know things won’t be that normal, but I don’t think things will escalate to the point where there’s no handshake. I didn’t expect this,” Aga said. Agha also revealed that he was informed of the decision in advance. “I went to the toss with my media manager Naim Bhai. The match referee – I can’t remember his name – pulled me aside and told me, ‘They’re going to do this; there won’t be a handshake, so just keep that in mind.’ I replied, ‘If there’s no handshake, so be it.’ I wasn’t in a rush to shake the handshake. That’s how it happened; he told me beforehand that there would be no handshake. Handshake.” After the game, which we lost, when we walked to their pavilion to shake hands, they still didn’t shake hands,” he added. Aga emphasized the responsibilities that come with being a public figure, considering the wider implications. “I’ve said it many times, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do. When we represent a country – I played for Pakistan – people will look at me. Kids will notice that and if it happens the next day in a club game, it’s partly because of me because I’m part of it. When you become a role model, I believe it’s important to do these things,” he said. The controversy extends beyond live interactions. During the post-match presentation ceremony of the Asia Cup final, the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council, Pakistan Home Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board. Players kept their distance, reflecting uneasiness about his role and previous remarks about India. The awards ceremony faced delays and while individual awards were handed out, the trophy presentation did not take place in full. Naqvi eventually left the venue with the trophy, which India has yet to officially receive despite winning the tournament. India later maintained the same no-handshake attitude during the T20 World Cup, indicating that this stance was not a one-time decision but part of an ongoing stance.
