Former Pakistan player Shahid Afridi has slammed the Indian Cricket Team for refusing the customary handshake after India's thumping seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 tournament on September 14 in Dubai. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who hit the winning runs, walked away alongside batting partner Shivam Dube, as Salman Ali Agha & Co. watched along in utter bemusement.
The handshake saga led to tensions between the teams, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodging an official complaint and also threatening to withdraw from the Continental Cup over match referee Andy Pycroft's role and later Pakistan leader Salman Agha snubbing the post-match presentation. The situation got worse when Indian players and coaching staff shut the door after the comprehensive win, refusing to indulge in a customary handshake after the match was over in Dubai.
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Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment over how the incident panned out, as he said Pakistan players were ready for a handshake.
"When the Asia Cup began, social media was filled with boycott campaigns ahead of the match between India and Pakistan. Considering there was pressure, it is no surprise that the players and the BCCI were told not to shake hands with our team, Afridi stated during a discussion on Samaa TV.
Notably, the India vs Pakistan match after the Pahalgam terror attack received a lot of boycott calls from experts and fans on social media in India, opposing the clash due to national sentiments.
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"In my opinion, there was no sportsman spirit. They would once again be shamed in front of the world. I think our stance was bang on. Our PCB Chairman has taken the right stand. Overall, it's outstanding," Afridi commented.
"I have always said that players should be great ambassadors and not an embarrassment. I don't want to fault the Indian cricketers; they were given orders from above," he added.
Indian players have now become an embarrassment in front of the World: Shahid Afridi
The controversy also extended to events before the Continental Cup when India leader Suryakumar at the captain's press conference shook hands with Salman Agha and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. However, after the match, Surya said that they had given a proper reply and dedicated the win to the Pahalgam victims and the Army officials.
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"The same Suryakumar Yadav shook hands with Agha and Mohsin Naqvi at the captain's press conference. Now in front of the crowd, the government was not able to handle the social media pressure. Indian players have become an embarrassment in front of the world," Afridi concluded.
