“I don’t want to use harsh words, but India has been very disrespectful” - Salman Agha after Asia Cup 2025 Final

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has slammed the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, for bringing disrespect to the game of cricket by not shaking hands throughout the tournament in the games against Pakistan.

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While India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the group stage, they continued their momentum with a six-wicket win in the Super Four clash. Later, they stunned their arch-rivals by five wickets in the grand finale to lift the silverware.

"What India has done in this tournament is very disappointing. They are not disrespecting us by not shaking hands; they are disrespecting cricket. Good teams don't do what they did," Salman Ali Agha said in the post-match press conference.

Moreover, Agha didn’t like the way Suryakumar Yadav didn't pose with the trophy ahead of the grand finale. Additionally, he added that the Indian captain decided to shake hands with him in private at the start of the tournament, but it changed suddenly in front of the cameras.

"We went to pose with the trophy (photo shoot) on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. I don't want to use harsh words, but they've been very disrespectful,” he added.

"He shook hands with me in private at the start of the tournament, both at the pre-tournament press conference, and when we met in the referee's meeting. But when they're out in the world in front of the cameras, they don't shake our hands,” he asserted.

Furthermore, India decided not to collect the Asia Cup 2025 silverware from the ACC and PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi, which didn’t go down well with the Pakistani skipper. 

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"I'm sure he's following the instructions he's been given, but if it was up to him, he'd shake hands with me. Everything that happened today was a consequence of all that happened (before). Of course, the ACC president will give the trophy to the winners. If you won't take the trophy from him, how will you get it?" he concluded

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