Asia Cup 2025: Afridi Reacts to India’s Refusal to Shake Hands – ‘World Witnessed Their Embarrassment

Shahid Afridi on No Handshake Controversy:On Sunday, India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in a Group A match at Dubai International Stadium. However, at the end of the match, Indian players refused to join the traditional post-match handshakes, giving birth to both discussions and controversies in the cricket world.

Afridi's strong reaction: "No sportsman spirit was seen."

Former Pak captain Shahid Afridi said in a TV interview, "According to me, no sportsmanship was seen in this match. Indian players are facing embarrassment in front of the world. PCB and its chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, took the right step."

PCB's warning and Agha's protest

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson was angry after the incident, and captain Salman Ali Agha did not attend the post-match presentation. The PCB warned that if the ICC did not remove match referee Andy Prycroft from the tournament, Pakistan could withdraw from the Asia Cup.

Message of victory and controversial behavior

Suryakumar Yadav dedicated this victory to the victims of the Indian Armed Forces and the Pahalgam terrorist attacks. At the same time, Afridi said that this behavior of the Indian team proved to be completely shameful on the international platform.
Social media pressure and "double standards"

Afridi said that before the match, there were boycott campaigns going on in India on social media. He said, "Indian players and the BCCI got orders not to shake hands with the Pak team. Shaking hands in the press conference and not shaking after the match—this is a case of double standards."

Afridi: Players should be great ambassadors

Afridi said, "Players should become great ambassadors, not a cause of embarrassment in front of the world. It is not my intention to blame the Indian players; they got orders from above. But the result was shameful in front of the whole world."

Social media and BCCI's silent response

Amidst this controversy, BCCI and the Indian team have not given any statement so far, while discussion and criticism of this incident continue on social media.