The festive build-up to the 2025 Asia Cup has been clouded by political tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the
Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent cross-border firing. The controversy deepened at Tuesday’s pre-tournament press conference in Dubai, when attention shifted to a handshake between India captain
Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Early on, social media was abuzz with claims that Surya and Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha had refused to shake hands.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!However, video footage later disproved the rumours, showing Surya exchanging pleasantries instead with Naqvi, who also serves as PCB chairman and ACC chief, in addition to his political post.
Clips of the handshake quickly went viral, fuelling backlash among Indian fans.
Naqvi, known for his anti-India rhetoric in media, greeted all captains at the event. But his dual role as a political figure and cricket administrator has made the optics especially controversial.
"Pakistan sponsored terrorists killed two of our bravehearts today and the bcci captain has all the smiles on his face while meeting Mohsin Naqvi , PCB Chairman who wanted a nuclear attack on Bharat Mata. If this is sports diplomacy than of course this a Charlie diplomacy," Major Pawan Kumar, Shaurya Chakra (Retd) wrote.
One outraged user wrote: “Captain Suryakumar Yadav handshake with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who recently threatened India after Operation Sindoor. I don’t know how these people see their faces in mirror. They kill our innocent people & here we are handshaking with them. Shameful!!”
“We are sorry to all the Pahalgam victims. We are sorry to all the jawans. Cricket diplomacy is more important for our nation,” an user wrote.
“How can anyone justify smiling while those who harm our people go unchallenged? Innocent lives lost, and here we are… handshakes and smiles. Absolutely shameful," another user wrote.
“Shame on you Suryakumar Yadav. Shame on BCCI,” a fan wrote.
The Asia Cup format has placed India and Pakistan in the same group, meaning they could face each other up to three times in the coming weeks.
India begin their campaign against hosts UAE on September 10, while Pakistan open against Oman on September 12. The high-voltage India-Pakistan clash is slated for September 14.
India, with eight titles, remain the most successful side in Asia Cup history. But once again, it is the political backdrop — and the India-Pakistan rivalry — that dominates conversations around the tournament.
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