Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson revealed that captain Salman Agha skipped the post-match interview following India’s win.
No-Handshake Controversy Overshadows India’s Win Over Pakistan
Pakistan captain Salman Agha was absent from post-match interviews following India’s seven-wicket win in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash at the Dubai International Stadium. The absence sparked controversy, especially after Indian players refused to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts and headed straight to the dressing room.
After India captain Suryakumar Yadav hit the winning run to chase 128 in just 15.5 overs, he and Shivam Dube, who shared an unbeaten 34-run partnership, walked off the field without engaging with the opposition. Pakistan players, led by Salman Agha, queued near the Indian dressing room but received no response, leaving coach Mike Hesson visibly frustrated.
During the post-match interviews conducted by former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, Man of the Match Kuldeep Yadav and captain Suryakumar spoke to the media, but Salman Agha was absent. Hesson explained Salman Agha decision: “I think it’s just a flow and effect of the fact we were keen to engage and shake hands at the end of the match. I wish that didn’t happen. That’s pretty much the end of it.”
This was the second handshake-related drama in the match. At the toss, neither captain shook hands nor made eye contact. A BCCI source clarified to PTI that Suryakumar’s actions were not specific to Pakistan, noting he had behaved similarly in India’s Asia Cup opener against the UAE.
Suryakumar dedicates win to victims of Pahalgam terror attack
India captain Suryakumar Yadav, who celebrated his 35th birthday with an unbeaten 47 against Pakistan, dedicated the victory to India’s armed forces and expressed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. This marked the first international cricket clash between the two nations since the April attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, followed by a military standoff at the border in May, culminating in India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’.
“The most important thing for me is that we want to dedicate today’s win to all our armed forces who showed immense bravery. We hope they continue to inspire us and we give them more reasons to smile whenever we get an opportunity on the ground,” he added.