Shahid Afridi Slams BCCI, Suryakumar Yadav Over Handshake Snub

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has lashed out at Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian team for refusing the customary post-match handshake with Pakistan players after their Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash in Dubai on Sunday. India sealed a seven-wicket win but declined to greet their opponents, drawing sharp reactions.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson expressed anger at the incident, while skipper Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony in protest. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has even threatened to pull out of the tournament if match referee Andy Pycroft is not replaced.

Afridi accused the Indian side of lacking sportsmanship and bowing to political pressure. “There was no sportsman spirit. They’ve become an embarrassment in front of the world,” he said on Samaa TV, backing PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s hardline stance.

Suryakumar, who dedicated India’s victory to the armed forces and victims of the Pahalgam terror attack, had earlier faced criticism for shaking hands with Agha and Naqvi at the captains’ press conference. Afridi cited this as a double standard, claiming India’s players were acting under orders from “up above.”