Salman Agha finally addressed the handshake row, saying he had never seen anything like it and believes it is bad for cricket.
Pakistan Captain Salman Agha Speaks on Handshake Controversy
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha has finally addressed the handshake row with the Indian team during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The rivalry between the two sides has intensified throughout the tournament, though India has dominated on the field, with most attention focused on off-field incidents rather than cricketing performance.
Tensions escalated after India refused to partake in the traditional handshake with Pakistan players, citing solidarity with victims of the Pahalgam attack. The situation worsened when the Pakistan Cricket Board accused match referee Andy Pycroft of blocking a customary handshake between India’s Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Agha during the group stage. The PCB even threatened to withdraw from the series if Pycroft was not replaced, but the ICC rejected their demand.
Ahead of the Asia Cup final, Salman finally commented on the matter, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship. “I started playing professional cricket since 2007, and I have not seen two teams not shaking hands. My father is also an avid cricket fan and I have heard stories from him too, so you can go back 20 years further and such an incident hasn’t happened. India and Pakistan have played in the past, even in tougher situations, but players still used to shake hands. I think not shaking hands isn’t good for cricket,” Agha said during the pre-match press conference.
“I have no problem with aggression”: Salman Agha
The Super 4 clash saw heated altercations between players from both sides as Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack. The duo reportedly exchanged words with pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf during the match. Haris Rauf was later fined 30 per cent of his match fees for his aggressive on-field behavior.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, however, defended such aggression, stating it is part of the game. “If you take away the aggression from the fast bowlers, then I don’t think he will bowl with the same effectiveness he should have, so I have no problem with that. If any individual wants to get aggressive on the field, be it from our side or their side, they are most welcome,” he said.
