Asia Cup 2025 closing: Dont need to be harsh however Suryakumar disrespected cricket, says Salman Agha

Salman Ali Agha feels that Indian staff’s ‘No Handshake’ coverage whereas enjoying Pakistan within the Asia Cup was “disrespectful” to the sport and never one of the best instance of sportsmanship for the younger followers who look as much as cricketers as function fashions.

India beat arch-rivals Pakistan by 5 wickets in a extremely risky Asia Cup closing in Dubai on Sunday (September 28, 2025) to win their second match title within the T20 format.

“What India have done this tournament is very disappointing. They are not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they are disrespecting cricket. Good teams don’t do what they did,” the Pakistan skipper mentioned on the post-match press convention.

For Salman, fulfilling obligations is part of enjoying the game.

“We went to pose with the trophy (photo shoot) on our own because we wanted to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. I don’t want to use harsh words but they’ve been very disrespectful.”

‘Shook palms in non-public, behaved in a different way in public’

Salman claimed that Suryakumar has been a distinct individual in public when it got here to exchanging courtesy in comparison with how he behaved in non-public.

“He shook palms with me in non-public initially of the match, each on the pre-tournament press convention, and once we met within the referee’s assembly. But once they’re out on the earth in entrance of the cameras, they do not shake our palms.

“I’m sure he’s following the instructions he’s been given, but if it was up to him, he’d shake hands with me.” Salman tried to justify Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi’s choice to face on the presentation dais earlier than strolling away with the trophy. He mentioned India weren’t awarded the trophy as they did not need to gather it from the PCB chief.

“Everything that happened today was a consequence of all that happened (before). Of course, the ACC president will give the trophy to the winners. If you won’t take the trophy from him, how will you get it?” he countered.

He felt that in some unspecified time in the future this sort of issues must cease.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen this happen. Whatever happened in this tournament was very bad, and I hope it stops at some stage because it’s bad for cricket.”

The Pakistan captain mentioned these type of incidents will set a improper instance for budding cricketers.

“I’m not just a Pakistan captain, I’m a cricket fan. If a kid is watching in India or Pakistan, we’re not sending them a good message.” Why it unfolded the way in which it did is a query solely India ought to reply, Salman mentioned.

“People think of us as role models, but if we’re behaving like this, we’re not inspiring them. What happened shouldn’t have happened, but you should ask the people (of India) responsible for this rather than me.”

While concluding his press convention, Salman, apparently in an afterthought, claimed that the match charges of your complete Pakistan staff will likely be donated to the households of those that died through the ‘Operation Sindoor’.

The Asia Cup was being held within the backdrop of border tensions between India and Pakistan after 26 vacationers had been killed by terrorists in Pahalgam earlier this 12 months resulting in army motion by India below Operation Sindoor.