Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Agha has shared his perspective on the much-discussed handshake incident involving India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav during last year’s Asia Cup clash.
Speaking on a podcast, Agha revealed that he had been informed in advance by match referee Andy Pycroft that Yadav would not engage in a customary handshake at the toss. Despite the heads-up, Agha admitted he was surprised by the situation, especially since the two had previously exchanged handshakes during a pre-tournament press conference and an official photoshoot.
Agha explained that he approached the toss as usual, though aware that tensions might exist. However, he did not expect the situation to escalate to the complete absence of a handshake. He maintained that while he respected the decision, it did not particularly concern him, emphasizing that he was not eager for the gesture in the first place.
The Pakistan captain also noted that even after the match concluded, when players typically exchange handshakes, there was no interaction from the Indian side.
Reflecting on the broader impact, Agha stressed the importance of maintaining sportsmanship, especially as captains serve as role models for younger fans. He expressed his disagreement with avoiding such gestures, stating that players should set positive examples both on and off the field.
Meanwhile, Pakistan pacer Hassan Ali, who was also involved in the episode, offered a stronger opinion. He suggested that if relations were so strained, it might have been better for the teams not to play the match at all and instead share points.