Pakistan captain Salman Agha has accused India of disrespecting cricket during the Asia Cup 2025, pointing out the disputes between the sides on and off the field.
The tensions between India and Pakistan have intensified after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The tensions further escalated with India’s counterattack (Operation Sindoor), which had become a global issue.
Since then, India and Pakistan first met on the Asia cup 2025 group stages where India refused to shake hands with Pakistan team during the toss and after the game.
Later Suryakumar Yadav dedicated their group stage game win for Indian Army forces and the victims of Pahalgam terror.
Later the tensions erupted during Super 4s game when Sahibzada Farhan’s gun shot celebration and Haris Rauf’s 6-0 gesture. Later with the intervention of ICC, the dispute was settled.
However, the rivals went on to face once again in finals, where India pummeled Pakistan with a 5-wicket victory. After the victory, India refused to take trophy from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and an ACC official went on to take the trophy back.
On this occasion Salman Agha said, “What happened in this tournament, I think it is very disappointing.”
He addressed the handshake row once again saying that, “If you look at it, they feel that by not shaking hands, they are disrespecting us but in fact they are disrespecting cricket. And anyone who disrespects cricket, I think it comes back and I am very sure that it will happen.”
“What they have done today, I think a good team doesn’t do this. Good teams do what we have done; we went alone and posed with the trophy and even after the loss, we stood there and took our medals. I don’t want to use very harsh words but to be very honest, this is very disrespectful to the game, not anyone else,” added Salman Agha.
Agha also defended his team’s decision to cancel pre-match conferences, saying it was a response to that of India’s conduct.
“Yes, there was no pre-match press conference at times but those things that happened after whatever happened on the ground. We were not the ones to start. And, to be honest, it is not about who is doing it, whatever is happening is bad for the game of cricket.”
He also added that, “He (SKY) did shake hands with me when we were doing the captains’ press conference [before the start of the tournament].”
“He shook my hands even during our meeting with the match referee. But he doesn’t do it when he’s in front of everyone. I am sure, if it was up to him, he’d have done it. He’s just doing what he’s been instructed, which is fine.”
Salman suggests that India’s action risk sending the wrong message to the next generation fans.
“Say I am not the captain of Pakistan, even just as a cricket fan, I will not second what’s happening because it is wrong. To a kid sitting at home, whether he/she is from Pakistan or India, what message are we sending?”
“We are not giving a good message because people think of us as role models, so if we start behaving like this as role models then we are not inspiring anyone. And if we are inspiring, then we are inspiring them about the wrong things.
“I am saying this again, whatever happened was wrong and it should not have happened. So those who did it should be questioned,” concluded Salman Agha.
