'I am speechless': Watch Shoaib Akhtar cry as Indian players refuse handshake with Pakistan after Asia Cup match

Synopsis

Following India's dominant victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, a controversy erupted as the Indian team skipped the customary handshake, leaving Shoaib Akhtar disheartened. Akhtar criticized the gesture, urging both sides to keep politics out of cricket. He also lamented Pakistan's performance, deeming it below international standards and highlighting the widening gap between them and top cricketing nations.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar broke down in disappointment after India’s players walked away without the customary handshake following their Asia Cup 2025 match against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. India defeated Pakistan, but the post-match moment drew more attention when the Indian side skipped the tradition of greeting their opponents, leaving Shoaib Akhtar visibly emotional as he called the gesture “disheartening” and urged both sides not to mix politics with cricket. India crushed Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 14. After restricting Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs, India chased down the target in 15.5 overs in style with seven wickets in hand. The match was the first face-off between the two teams since the terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this year.

No Handshake during India Pakistan match

Following the win, Indian players did not stay back for the customary handshake. Footage also showed the team’s dressing room door being closed, leaving Pakistan players waiting on the field.

Akhtar reacts to India’s decision

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar criticised the gesture. Speaking on a Pakistani show, he said, "I'm speechless. It is disheartening to see and I don't know what to say. Hats off to India. Just don't make things political. Cricket match hain isko political mat banao. Hum ne acchi statement di hai aapkee liye. Hum bohut kuchh bol sakte hai. Hoti rehte hain ladayi jhagre, ghar me bhi ho jaati hain. Forget it, move on. It is the game of cricket, shake your hands, show your grace."

Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not attend the post-match presentation ceremony. Akhtar backed the decision and said, "Thik kiya Salman Ali Agha ne, wo nahi gaya post match mein, good (Salman Ali Agha did the right thing, he did not go to the post match ceremony, good)."

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Pakistan playing club-level cricket

Shoaib Akhtar did not hold back while analysing Pakistan’s performance, calling it disappointing in every department. He noted that Saim Ayub stood out with the ball and, with sarcasm, remarked that Pakistan had finally discovered a quality spinner at the age of 35.

The former pacer stressed that the defeat highlighted the growing gap between Pakistan and the top cricketing nations. According to him, most international teams play at a much higher standard, while Pakistan’s level resembled club cricket.

Akhtar’s sharpest criticism was directed at the batting unit, which faltered once again against India’s bowlers. He pointed out that Suryakumar Yadav dominated with ease, playing sweeps and cuts at will.

He also mocked the batting order for being outperformed by a lower-order bowler. Referring to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s quickfire 33 off 16 balls, Akhtar questioned why the recognised batters failed against India’s spinners if a tail-ender could hit multiple sixes.

First India-Pakistan Match After Pulwama Clash

The match came amid strained relations between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. Calls were made in India for the team not to play against Pakistan, but the administration stated that matches in multinational tournaments could not be forfeited. India’s players appeared to reflect the sentiment of their country through their actions after the game.

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