Handshake snub: Salman Agha was right to skip post-match ceremony, says Shoaib Akhtar

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is disappointed with Suryakumar Yadav after the India captain did not shake hands with his opposition counterpart Salman Agha. A visibly frustrated Akhtar went on a rant after India beat Pakistan by 7 wickets, calling out the Indian captain for his actions off the pitch. He then justified Salman Agha's decision to skip the post-match presentation ceremony.

Speaking on Pakistani media channel Tapmad, Shoaib said that it was disheartening to see Suryakumar Yadav not shaking hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha. Surya's gesture, or the lack of it, meant that Salman Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony, which is considered routine in the cricket world. Salman did not appear in the press conference either.

"I am speechless. It is disheartening, I do not know what to say. Hats off to India, well done. But do not make this political. This is a cricket match. We have said good things about you, just do the handshake man, it is a game of cricket. Show some grace. Fights happen, but do not take it to the next level by not shaking hands," Shoaib Akhtar said after the match on Pakistani channel Tapmad.

"I would have shaken the hand. Do not make this political. Salman Agha did the right thing by not going to the post-match ceremony. Good," Akhtar added.

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Shoaib Akhtar crying on Handshake Saga..

Same guy was seen with Asim Munir few months back along with Shahid Afridi..

Well done Suryakumar Yadav bhut badhiya kiya hai chot gehri lagi hai jaise Nur Khan Air Base ko lagi hai.#INDvsPAK pic.twitter.com/JEDuaN21C6— AT10 (@Loyalsachfan10) September 14, 2025

Suryakumar Explains Handshake Snub

India captain Suryakumar Yadav justified his actions after the game.

“Our government and BCCI, we were aligned together. The rest, we came here, we took a call. I feel we came here just to play the game. I think we gave them a proper reply,” Suryakumar said in the post-match press conference.

"Few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit. We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and we stand with their families. As I said, we dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor," Suryakumar added.

Asia Cup, India vs Pakistan: Highlights | Scorecard

In the press conference, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressed his disappointment over the scenario, stating that the Pakistan players were ready to shake hands with the Indian team.

“Well, look — we were obviously ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We were disappointed that our opponents didn’t do the same. We went over to shake hands, but they had already headed into the changing rooms,” Hesson said.

“It was a disappointing way for the match to finish — not just because of that, but also because we were disappointed with how we played. That said, we were absolutely willing to shake hands,” Hesson added.

Pakistan have reportedly launched a formal protest against match referee Andy Pycroft after yesterday's event. The Pakistan team manager has alleged that Pycroft advised Salman Agha at the toss to not shake hands with with Suryakumar Yadav.