The Asia Cup 2025 is already generating buzz, and not just for the anticipated on-field contests. A recent pre-tournament press conference in Dubai has sparked a minor controversy involving the captains of the Indian and Pakistani teams.
On September 9, 2025, the captains of the eight participating nations – Suryakumar Yadav (India), Salman Ali Agha (Pakistan), Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), Litton Das (Bangladesh), Yasim Murtuza (Hong Kong), Jatinder Singh (Oman), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka), and Muhammad Waseem (UAE) – gathered for a formal press conference. As expected, the focus was largely on India and Pakistan, who are considered strong contenders for the title, and their upcoming match on September 14th is already highly anticipated.
Following the Q&A session, a seemingly insignificant moment ignited discussions on social media. Salman Agha, the Pakistani captain, was seen leaving the stage without engaging in the customary handshakes or greetings with the other captains. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian captain, was observed warmly greeting other captains, including Rashid Khan of Afghanistan. The absence of an initial handshake between the Indian and Pakistani captains quickly fueled speculation and debate online, with fans suggesting potential tensions between the two rival nations.
However, a subsequent video clip circulating online offered a different perspective. This clip showed Salman Agha pausing near the podium, turning back, and shaking hands with Suryakumar before departing. He also exchanged handshakes with other captains as he made his way out. This suggests that the initial lack of a handshake might have been due to timing or oversight rather than intentional avoidance.
Despite the later handshake, the initial interaction was enough to generate significant chatter across social media platforms. Some fans interpreted the brief delay as a reflection of the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan. Others dismissed it as an overblown issue, pointing out that both captains did eventually shake hands.
Suryakumar Yadav addressed whether he would keep his players' aggression in check during the highly anticipated match against Pakistan, stating that aggression is essential for winning. Salman maintained that he wouldn't instruct his players to curb their aggression, leaving it to their individual discretion.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny that accompanies any interaction between India and Pakistan in the world of cricket. Even a seemingly minor occurrence like a delayed handshake can be blown out of proportion and become a subject of widespread discussion and analysis. Ultimately, while the viral video briefly stirred controversy, it also underscored the immense interest and passion surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry as the Asia Cup 2025 approaches.
