16 Sep 2025 : Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi went on a rant, launching a tirade against Suryakumar Yadav’s India for snubbing the post-match customary handshakes against Salman Ali Agha‘s team in the aftermath of the Group A Asia Cup 2025 tie on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. Post India’s seven-wicket win, Suryakumar and the rest of the Indian contingent shut the door on their opponents to refuse post-match greetings.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson was left fuming, and this even resulted in skipper Agha ignoring the post-match presentation as he didn’t come out to interact with former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup if the ICC didn’t remove match referee Andy Pycroft for the remainder of the tournament. If Pycroft indeed officiates Pakistan’s upcoming match against the UAE and PCB goes through with their threat, then Salman Agha and his team would be knocked out of the tournament.
After India’s win, Suryakumar dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces, saying the team stands in solidarity with the Pahalgam terror victims. Afridi hasn’t taken too kindly to the actions of the Indian team, saying the players from across the border have become an “embarrassment in front of the world.”
“When the Asia Cup began, social media was filled with the boycott campaigns ahead of the match between India and Pakistan. Considering there was pressure, it is no surprise that the players and the BCCI were told not to shake hands with our team,” said Afridi during a discussion on Samaa TV.
Summary : Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi criticized BCCI and Suryakumar Yadav for allegedly refusing a handshake, calling it an international embarrassment and urging respect in cricket diplomacy.