'Don't fault the Indian cricketers, they were given orders from above': Shahid Afridi on handshake row

Shahid Afridi has criticised the Indian cricket team for allegedly refusing post-match handshakes after their Asia Cup victory against Pakistan, citing a lack of sportsman spirit. Afridi suggests the players were instructed by the BCCI due to social media pressure and national sentiments.

File photo of former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi. (Instagram)

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has criticised the Indian cricket team for refusing post-match handshakes after India's seven-wicket victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Group A match at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. The incident led to tensions between the teams, with Pakistan Cricket Board threatening to withdraw from the tournament over match referee Andy Pyrcroft's role and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skipping the post-match presentation.

Handshake drama becomes ugly! India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 in DANGER?

The situation escalated when Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team declined customary post-match greetings with their Pakistani counterparts. Pakistan coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment over the incident. "When the Asia Cup began, social media was filled with the boycott campaigns ahead of the match between India and Pakistan. Considering there was pressure, it is no surprise that the players and the BCCI were told not to shake hands with our team," Afridi stated during a discussion on Samaa TV. The match was preceded by widespread calls for boycott on social media in India, with fans opposing the game due to national sentiments. "In my opinion, there was no sportsman spirit. They would once again be shamed in front of the world. I think our stance was bang on. Our PCB chairman has taken the right stand. Overall, it's outstanding," Afridi commented.

Clips of the handshake between Suryakumar Yadav and Mohsin Naqvi quickly went viral, fuelling backlash among Indian fans. (Image credit: ACC)

"I have always said that players should be great ambassadors and not an embarrassment. I don't want to fault the Indian cricketers; they were given orders from up above," he added. The Pakistan Cricket Board had threatened to pull out of the Asia Cup if the International Cricket Council (ICC) did not remove match referee Andy Pycroft for the remaining tournament matches. Their official complaint with the ICC, however, has been quashed. Yet, as TimesofIndia.com reported, Pycroft will not be part of the officials team for Pakistan's match against the UAE on Wednesday. Following India's victory, Suryakumar dedicated the win to the Indian Armed Forces, expressing solidarity with Pahalgam terror victims. The controversy extended to events before the tournament when Suryakumar faced criticism on social media for shaking hands with ACC head Mohsin Naqvi and Pakistan captain Agha during the official captain's press conference. "The same Suryakumar Yadav shook hands with Salman Agha and Mohsin Naqvi at the captain's press conference. Now in front of the crowd, the government was not able to handle the social media pressure. Indian players have now become an embarrassment in front of the world," Afridi concluded.

End of Article

Follow Us On Social Media

Click here to read article