Pakistan captain Salman Agha with Haris Rauf.
| Photo Credit: AP
Asia Cup 2025 Final: On the eve of the much-awaited India vs Pakistan clash in Dubai, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha voiced his displeasure over India’s refusal to shake hands after their recent encounters. The issue first arose in the group-stage game on September 14, when India skipped the post-match handshake following their seven-wicket win. The same stance continued during the Super Four phase.
Speaking at the pre-final press conference on Saturday, Agha said he had never witnessed such an incident in his long cricketing journey.
“I started playing professional cricket in 2007 at the under-16 level, and I’ve never seen two teams not exchange handshakes after a match. Even my father, who has followed cricket closely, has never spoken of anything like this. India-Pakistan matches have always carried tension, but handshakes were part of the spirit. Not shaking hands is not good for cricket,” Agha remarked.
This Asia Cup has seen as many headlines off the field as on it. Pakistan players Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan came under fire for controversial gestures in the last meeting with India — Rauf mocking the crowd with a “6-0” sign and Farhan celebrating his half-century with a machine-gun act.
When asked whether he planned to restrain his players in Sunday’s final, Agha took a balanced stance.
“Every player knows how to handle emotions. I allow them freedom to react as long as it doesn’t cross the line or disrespect anyone. Aggression is fine, but it should remain within limits,” he explained.
The high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan takes place on September 28 at the Dubai International Stadium, marking their third showdown in the tournament. With India unbeaten against Pakistan since October 2022, the final promises both fireworks and pressure.
Hi, I’m Punith, the founder of IPLMatchUpdates.in. I’ve been following and analyzing IPL and international cricket for over a decade, and my goal is to bring fans accurate news, live updates, and detailed match insights straight from the world of cricket.
Cricket isn’t just a sport to me — it’s a passion. When I’m not writing or sharing updates, you’ll find me analyzing match strategies, reviewing player performances, or debating cricket stats with fellow fans.
Through IPLMatchUpdates.in, I aim to make every cricket lover feel closer to the game we all love.
