Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has revisited the handshake controversy from the Asia Cup 2025. This incident occurred during last year’s tournament when India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart. The action was largely interpreted as a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives.
The tournament unfolded in a sensitive atmosphere following Operation Sindoor, amid escalated political and emotional tensions between the two countries. This context added a deeper symbolism to the decision, affecting the atmosphere beyond the toss. Indian players also refrained from handshakes after all three matches against Pakistan, including the final. On the field, India dominated, with Suryakumar Yadav leading his team to victory each time.
Agha addressed the handshake issue during a podcast conversation, noting that handshakes occurred at the pre-tournament press conference and during the trophy photoshoot. He expressed surprise at the absence of handshakes during the toss.
“Before the tournament, we shook hands at the press conference and during the trophy photoshoot. So, I expected things to be normal. I had a feeling it might not be, but I didn’t think it would reach the point of no handshake. I was taken aback,” Agha shared on the ARY podcast.
He mentioned that he was notified ahead of the toss about the decision to skip the handshake and accepted it calmly.
“I went for the toss with my media manager, Naim Bhai. The match referee informed me, ‘They are going to skip the handshake, so keep that in mind.’ I said, ‘If there’s no handshake, then that’s fine.’ I wasn’t desperate for a handshake. When the match ended and we headed toward their pavilion, they still didn’t extend their hands,” Agha recounted.
Agha emphasized the need for setting a positive example, highlighting that such gestures are significant as players serve as role models for younger fans.
“I’ve said this many times: I don’t believe this is appropriate. When I represent Pakistan, people look up to me. Kids notice these things, and if it happens in a club game later, it reflects on me. As a role model, I think it’s crucial to demonstrate these values,” Agha concluded.