Asia Cup 2025 final: Don’t want to be harsh but Suryakumar disrespected cricket, says Salman Agha

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

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

“What India have achieved this match could be very disappointing. They aren’t disrespecting us by not shaking fingers, they’re disrespecting cricket. Good groups do not do what they did,” the Pakistan skipper stated on the post-match press convention.

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

“We went to pose with the trophy (picture shoot) on our personal as a result of we wished to fulfil our obligations. We stood there and took our medals. I do not need to use harsh phrases however they have been very disrespectful.”

‘Shook fingers in personal, behaved otherwise in public’

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

“He shook fingers with me in personal at first of the match, each on the pre-tournament press convention, and after we met within the referee’s assembly. However after they’re out on the earth in entrance of the cameras, they do not shake our fingers.

“I am certain he is following the directions he is been given, but when it was as much as him, he’d shake fingers with me.” Salman tried to justify Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi’s resolution to face on the presentation dais earlier than strolling away with the trophy. He stated India weren’t awarded the trophy as they did not need to gather it from the PCB chief.

“All the things that occurred in the present day was a consequence of all that occurred (earlier than). After all, the ACC president will give the trophy to the winners. In case you will not take the trophy from him, how will you get it?” he countered.

He felt that sooner or later this sort of issues must cease.

“That is the primary time I’ve ever seen this occur. No matter occurred on this match was very unhealthy, and I hope it stops at some stage as a result of it is unhealthy for cricket.”

The Pakistan captain stated these type of incidents will set a unsuitable instance for budding cricketers.

“I am not only a Pakistan captain, I am a cricket fan. If a child is watching in India or Pakistan, we’re not sending them a superb message.” Why it unfolded the best way it did is a query solely India ought to reply, Salman stated.

“Folks consider us as function fashions, but when we’re behaving like this, we’re not inspiring them. What occurred should not have occurred, however you need to ask the folks (of India) chargeable for this moderately than me.”

Whereas concluding his press convention, Salman, apparently in an afterthought, claimed that the match charges of all the Pakistan group can be donated to the households of those that died in the course of 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 yr resulting in navy motion by India below Operation Sindoor.