 "Indian players refused to shake hands with Pakistan cricketers after the Asia Cup match. Image: Reuters")
Former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Rashid Latif have accused the Indian cricket team of playing politics and criticised the Men In Blue for refusing to shake hands with the Pakistani players after their Asia Cup 2025 match. A vast majority of Indian fans wanted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Team India to boycott the Pakistan match, but while the game went ahead, the Indian cricket team players staged a protest in their own style.
It started at the toss when India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands in a match that was taking place only a few months after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Later, as India went on to win the match by seven wickets, their first victory over Pakistan since the Operation Sindoor, the Indian batters, including Suryakumar and Shivam Dube, refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players as they headed back to the dressing room straightaway.
The Indian players did not even come out to the field to shake hands with the Pakistani players, who had lined-up for the customary post-match interaction. In the post-match press conference, Suryakumar explained that it was a conscious call not to shake hands with Pakistan players.
“Our government and BCCI, we were aligned. Together, we came here, we took a call and I feel we came here just to play the game. And we gave the proper reply. See how it is, I feel a few things in life are above sportsman spirit,” the Indian captain said.
Shoaib Akhtar, Rashid Latif slam India over handshake controversy
Former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Rashid Latif, however, did not like India refusing the handshakes as they criticised the team for lacking “grace."
“Match ko political na banao (Don’t bring politics into sports),” Shoaib Akhtar said on PTV Sports. “Hats off to India, well done. We are talking good things about you, but we can say things also. Show your grace, do the handshakes. Fights happen in every house, but that doesn’t mean you take it to the next level.”
Latif said that India not shaking hands is a “blot” that they will have to carry for a lifetime. “Wars have happened before too, but we have always shaken hands. These things will remain a blot for a lifetime,” Latif told TimesofIndia.com.
“Your reservations in terms of war or the Pahalgam attack are legitimate. But when you come to the ground, play the sport the right way. If Pakistan is involved in the Pahalgam attack, then catch those who are responsible. ‘Jung hi kar lete, woh bhi nahi ki puri tarah se’ (India should have fought the war, but they didn’t even do that properly). India should have fought the war, they should not have backed out,” he added.
India and Pakistan are expected to face off against each other at least once more in the Super 4s. It will be interesting to see what they opt to do in that match. They will likely refuse handshakes once again.