The India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match in Dubai ended in a straightforward win for India, but the real buzz came after the game.
While India cruised to a seven-wicket victory, what everyone noticed was the handshake that never happened.
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Pakistani players, led by Salman Ali Agha, stood waiting for the customary post-match handshake, but the Indian team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, walked straight back to their dressing room, skipping the tradition entirely.
This incident has sparked criticism from many Pakistan former players. Former Pakistan cricketer Atif-uz-Zaman called out this as hypocrisy, especially when Indian legends like Irfan Pathan later sit alongside Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in commentary boxes.
Why is Atif-uz-Zaman criticizing the boycott?
In a recent interview, the ex-Pakistan cricketer, said that the situation during and after the match was embarrassing.
He pointed out the irony of Irfan Pathan refusing to play against the Pakistan legends team but still sitting in the same commentary box as former Pakistani stars Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Atif-uz-Zaman said that if he were in Wasim or Waqar’s place, he wouldn’t shake hands with Pathan and might even leave the tournament, because it felt disrespectful.
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“Irfan Pathan, who refused to play against the Pakistan legends side, is doing commentary in the same box as Wasim and Waqar. If I was Wasim or Waqar, I would not shake hands with them; I would get out of the tournament. If I was doing commentary with these guys, I would leave after yesterday's incident. This was a disgrace,” he said.
He added that cricket should remain separate from politics or other outside issues. “Cricket should be different from politics. You either play together if you play and follow all the spirit of cricket or don’t play at all. There is no midway,” the former player explained.
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