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Asia Cup 2025: Handshake controversy after India-Pakistan match, Rashid Latif's sensational statement
Dubai, September 15, 2025 - A new controversy has erupted after the much-talked-about T20 match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Even though India won a resounding 7-wicket victory over Pakistan, the decision not to shake hands after the match has created a stir in the cricket world. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused to shake hands with Pakistani players after the match, which has led to a strong reaction from former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif. He criticized India and said, "If this is about the Pahalgam attack, then fight a war, don't bring this into cricket."
Match Result and Controversy
Chasing a target of 128 runs, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in 15.5 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (14 September 2025). Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 47 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav took 3/18 to win the Man of the Match award. However, after the match, the Indian players did not follow the tradition of shaking hands and returned directly to the dressing room. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson tried to contact the Indian team to shake hands, but they did not receive a response.
Suryakumar Yadav told a press conference after the match that the decision not to shake hands was taken under the guidance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Government of India. He dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Armed Forces. "This is a fitting occasion. We stand with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and express our solidarity with them. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces, who have shown great courage," Suryakumar said.
Rashid Latif's controversial statement
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif expressed his strong displeasure over India's action. He said, "If this decision was taken in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, then this kind of politics should not be brought into war, cricket." His statement has created a stir on social media. Some supported Latif's statement, while others criticized it as an attempt to mix cricket and politics.
Latif had earlier commented on the India-Pakistan matches in the context of the Asia Cup 2025. He had said that the Pakistan team succumbs to emotions in such high-pressure matches, which leads to their defeat. "Pakistan players cannot control their emotions, which is why they come under pressure when playing against India," Latif believes.
Pahalgam Attack and Political Background
On April 22, 2025, 26 tourists were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The terrorist organization 'The Resistance Front' (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack, but India accused Pakistan of being behind it. In response to this attack, India launched missile attacks on six locations in Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor'. After this, Pakistan also attacked military bases in India and Indian-occupied Kashmir. Four days later, an internationally mediated ceasefire was reached, but this incident further increased tensions between the two countries.
Against this backdrop, the India-Pakistan match has acquired a largely political color. Many in India had demanded a boycott of the match. Before the match, the hashtag #BoycottIndvsPak was trending on social media. Many political leaders, former cricketers and ordinary citizens expressed their displeasure over the decision to play the match. Aishanya Dwivedi, the wife of one of the victims of the Pahalgam attack, criticized the BCCI, saying, "The BCCI does not value the 26 victims of Pahalgam. No one from their family died, that's why they are playing Pakistan."
BCCI and government's decision
BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia clarified before the match that as per the Indian government's policy, India will play Pakistan in multinational tournaments, but bilateral series will not be allowed. "If we do not participate in the multinational tournament, we will have to withdraw from the tournament or pay a fine," Saikia said.
The Indian government had also allowed the match to be played, but the opposition parties called it an 'insult to the martyrs'. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said, "The BCCI should still cancel this match and protect India's sentiments. The interest of the country is more important than two points."
Pre-match tension and social media
The controversy had started even before the Asia Cup 2025 match. A controversy had erupted over a promo video created by Sony Sports Network to promote the match. Former cricketer Virender Sehwag was featured in the video, which drew criticism from both him and the BCCI. Many on social media termed the promo as an 'insult to the victims of Pahalgam'.
The day before the match, IPL team Punjab Kings avoided the Pakistani flag in its advertisement, which drew criticism from Pakistani fans. Some Indian fans also gave mixed reactions to it on social media.
The complexity of cricket and politics
India-Pakistan Sa
Dubai, September 15, 2025 - A new controversy has erupted after the much-talked-about T20 match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025. Even though India won a resounding 7-wicket victory over Pakistan, the decision not to shake hands after the match has created a stir in the cricket world. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team refused to shake hands with Pakistani players after the match, which has led to a strong reaction from former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif. He criticized India and said, "If this is about the Pahalgam attack, then fight a war, don't bring this into cricket."
Match Result and Controversy
Chasing a target of 128 runs, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in 15.5 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (14 September 2025). Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 47 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav took 3/18 to win the Man of the Match award. However, after the match, the Indian players did not follow the tradition of shaking hands and returned directly to the dressing room. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson tried to contact the Indian team to shake hands, but they did not receive a response.
Suryakumar Yadav told a press conference after the match that the decision not to shake hands was taken under the guidance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Government of India. He dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Armed Forces. "This is a fitting occasion. We stand with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and express our solidarity with them. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces, who have shown great courage," Suryakumar said.
Rashid Latif's controversial statement
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif expressed his strong displeasure over India's action. He said, "If this decision was taken in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, then this kind of politics should not be brought into war, cricket." His statement has created a stir on social media. Some supported Latif's statement, while others criticized it as an attempt to mix cricket and politics.
Latif had earlier commented on the India-Pakistan matches in the context of the Asia Cup 2025. He had said that the Pakistan team succumbs to emotions in such high-pressure matches, which leads to their defeat. "Pakistan players cannot control their emotions, which is why they come under pressure when playing against India," Latif believes.
Pahalgam Attack and Political Background
On April 22, 2025, 26 tourists were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The terrorist organization 'The Resistance Front' (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack, but India accused Pakistan of being behind it. In response to this attack, India launched missile attacks on six locations in Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor'. After this, Pakistan also attacked military bases in India and Indian-occupied Kashmir. Four days later, an internationally mediated ceasefire was reached, but this incident further increased tensions between the two countries.
Against this backdrop, the India-Pakistan match has acquired a largely political color. Many in India had demanded a boycott of the match. Before the match, the hashtag #BoycottIndvsPak was trending on social media. Many political leaders, former cricketers and ordinary citizens expressed their displeasure over the decision to play the match. Aishanya Dwivedi, the wife of one of the victims of the Pahalgam attack, criticized the BCCI, saying, "The BCCI does not value the 26 victims of Pahalgam. No one from their family died, that's why they are playing Pakistan."
BCCI and government's decision
BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia clarified before the match that as per the Indian government's policy, India will play Pakistan in multinational tournaments, but bilateral series will not be allowed. "If we do not participate in the multinational tournament, we will have to withdraw from the tournament or pay a fine," Saikia said.
The Indian government had also allowed the match to be played, but the opposition parties called it an 'insult to the martyrs'. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said, "The BCCI should still cancel this match and protect India's sentiments. The interest of the country is more important than two points."
Pre-match tension and social media
The controversy had started even before the Asia Cup 2025 match. A controversy had erupted over a promo video created by Sony Sports Network to promote the match. Former cricketer Virender Sehwag was featured in the video, which drew criticism from both him and the BCCI. Many on social media termed the promo as an 'insult to the victims of Pahalgam'.
The day before the match, IPL team Punjab Kings avoided the Pakistani flag in its advertisement, which drew criticism from Pakistani fans. Some Indian fans also gave mixed reactions to it on social media.
The complexity of cricket and politics
India-Pakistan Sa
Match Result and Controversy
Chasing a target of 128 runs, India defeated Pakistan by 7 wickets in 15.5 overs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (14 September 2025). Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 47 runs, while Kuldeep Yadav took 3/18 to win the Man of the Match award. However, after the match, the Indian players did not follow the tradition of shaking hands and returned directly to the dressing room. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and coach Mike Hesson tried to contact the Indian team to shake hands, but they did not receive a response.
Suryakumar Yadav told a press conference after the match that the decision not to shake hands was taken under the guidance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Government of India. He dedicated the victory to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian Armed Forces. "This is a fitting occasion. We stand with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and express our solidarity with them. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces, who have shown great courage," Suryakumar said.
Rashid Latif's controversial statement
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif expressed his strong displeasure over India's action. He said, "If this decision was taken in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, then this kind of politics should not be brought into war, cricket." His statement has created a stir on social media. Some supported Latif's statement, while others criticized it as an attempt to mix cricket and politics.
Latif had earlier commented on the India-Pakistan matches in the context of the Asia Cup 2025. He had said that the Pakistan team succumbs to emotions in such high-pressure matches, which leads to their defeat. "Pakistan players cannot control their emotions, which is why they come under pressure when playing against India," Latif believes.
Pahalgam Attack and Political Background
On April 22, 2025, 26 tourists were killed in a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The terrorist organization 'The Resistance Front' (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack, but India accused Pakistan of being behind it. In response to this attack, India launched missile attacks on six locations in Pakistan under 'Operation Sindoor'. After this, Pakistan also attacked military bases in India and Indian-occupied Kashmir. Four days later, an internationally mediated ceasefire was reached, but this incident further increased tensions between the two countries.
Against this backdrop, the India-Pakistan match has acquired a largely political color. Many in India had demanded a boycott of the match. Before the match, the hashtag #BoycottIndvsPak was trending on social media. Many political leaders, former cricketers and ordinary citizens expressed their displeasure over the decision to play the match. Aishanya Dwivedi, the wife of one of the victims of the Pahalgam attack, criticized the BCCI, saying, "The BCCI does not value the 26 victims of Pahalgam. No one from their family died, that's why they are playing Pakistan."
BCCI and government's decision
BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia clarified before the match that as per the Indian government's policy, India will play Pakistan in multinational tournaments, but bilateral series will not be allowed. "If we do not participate in the multinational tournament, we will have to withdraw from the tournament or pay a fine," Saikia said.
The Indian government had also allowed the match to be played, but the opposition parties called it an 'insult to the martyrs'. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said, "The BCCI should still cancel this match and protect India's sentiments. The interest of the country is more important than two points."
Pre-match tension and social media
The controversy had started even before the Asia Cup 2025 match. A controversy had erupted over a promo video created by Sony Sports Network to promote the match. Former cricketer Virender Sehwag was featured in the video, which drew criticism from both him and the BCCI. Many on social media termed the promo as an 'insult to the victims of Pahalgam'.
The day before the match, IPL team Punjab Kings avoided the Pakistani flag in its advertisement, which drew criticism from Pakistani fans. Some Indian fans also gave mixed reactions to it on social media.
The complexity of cricket and politics
India-Pakistan Sa
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