- By Sports desk
- Sat, 02 May 2026 06:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Pakistan captain Salman Agha revealed that India captain Suryakumar Yadav did shake hands with him twice during the Asia Cup 2025 before the group-stage match between archrivals, but later, there was no handshake at the toss.
Agha revealed that the duo shook hands twice in Asia Cup 2025
According to Agha, the first handshake happened during a press conference, and the second took place during a trophy shoot. However, things changed when both teams met for the match toss.
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“Before the toss, there was a press conference, and we shook hands, then there was a trophy shoot, there was a handshake there too," Agha said in a Pakistani interview. “When I headed out for the toss, I felt normal, but obviously, I expected things to be tense. I knew it wouldn’t be normal, but I didn’t think it would sink to this low that there wouldn’t be any handshake. I had no idea that would happen," he added.
Why Team India refused to shake hands with Pakistan?
Suryakumar Yadav-led India refused to shake hands with Pakistan players during the Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026 matches to protest against cross-border terrorism after the Pahalgham terror attack. Notably, India and Pakistan face each other thrice in the Asia Cup, once in the Group Stage, after that in the Super 8 and later in the final, where the Men in Blue came victorious in all outings to clinch the title. India and Pakistan's last cricketing outing against each other came in the T20 World Cup, where India defeated them by 61 runs.
No Handshake was planned as Agha informed before the toss
Agha also said that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, who is part of the ICC elite panel, informed him beforehand that there would be no handshakes at the toss.
“I went with our media manager, Naeem bhai. The match referee, whose name I don’t remember, took me aside and said, ‘There won’t be any handshake today, so please be prepared.’ I said, ‘Alright, if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I am not too fond of shaking hands anyway.'"
Agha on India's refusal to shake hands after win
He further added that Pakistan were still willing to shake hands after the match, even after losing, but the Indian team did not respond. Agha said this kind of behaviour sends the wrong message, especially to young fans watching the game.
“I’ve said it before: I don’t think this is right," he stressed. “We’re representing our countries, and kids watch us. If it happens in a club game tomorrow, that’s on me too, because I’m setting the example. As a role model, I don’t believe this is the way to go."
After the match, Agha also skipped the post-match presentation ceremony.