Subhechcha Ganguly 
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has strongly criticised Team India’s refusal to shake hands after their Asia Cup 2025 Group A victory over Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday (September 14). India produced a commanding performance, restricting Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs before chasing down the target in just 15.5 overs with seven wickets in hand.
However, the post-match scenes drew more attention than the game itself. While Pakistan players waited for the customary handshake, no Indian cricketers appeared on the field. Footage also surfaced of Indian players closing their dressing-room doors, avoiding any interaction with the opposition.
Visibly disappointed, Akhtar expressed his dismay on a Pakistani TV show:
“I’m speechless. It is disheartening to see. Hats off to India, but don’t make cricket political. We have given you respect, and we could say much more about this incident. Fights happen even at home—forget it, move on. It’s just a game of cricket, shake hands and show grace.”
Akhtar also backed Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, who skipped the post-match presentation ceremony in protest. “He did the right thing by not going. Good decision,” the former pacer remarked.
This was the first India–Pakistan encounter since heightened geopolitical tensions earlier in the year following the Pahalgam terror attack. Despite calls from some quarters in India to boycott the fixture, officials had clarified that withdrawing from a multinational tournament was not an option. While the match went ahead, India’s post-match conduct reflected the team’s decision to align with the prevailing national sentiment.
