Shoaib Akhtar Reacts to India Snubbing Pakistan: “Show Some Grace; Salman Did the Right Thing”

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar condemned India’s refusal to shake hands after the Asia Cup match, urging players to separate politics from cricket.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Masterclass: Victory on the Field, Message Off It

Suryakumar Yadav and his men handed a thumping defeat to their arch-rivals, Pakistan, in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday (September 14). After putting in a clinical performance with the ball and restricting the ‘Men in Green’ to 127/9 in 20 overs, Team India chased down the target in just 15.5 overs, losing only three wickets.

Beyond their on-field dominance, the ‘Men in Blue’ made their stance clear regarding sportsmanship with the opposition. While Pakistan waited for the customary post-match handshake, none of the Indian players appeared on the field. Clips even showed Team India closing the doors to their dressing room, signaling a decisive and unambiguous message.

Shoaib Akhtar agitated by India’s stance of ‘No Handshake’

The Indian team’s decision not to shake hands with Pakistan seemed to rattle former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar. Speaking on a Pakistani show after the match, Akhtar expressed his disappointment and disagreement with the move.

Visibly frustrated, Shoaib Akhtar 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. (Don’t make a cricket match political. We have said nice things about you. We can say a lot about the no handshake. Fights happen, even inside your house. Forget it, move on. It is the game of cricket—shake hands, show your grace.)”

Akhtar’s remarks highlight the tension surrounding India’s stance, emphasizing the traditional spirit of cricket while acknowledging that disagreements can occur, even off the field.

Shoaib Akhtar crying over the handshake saga 😂 Same guy was chilling with Asim Munir & Afridi months back. Well done Surya – strike as deep as Nur Khan Air Base! 🔥🇮🇳 #INDvsPAK #IndianCricket #IndiaVsPakistan #aisacup2025 #indvspak2025 https://t.co/6O4XkugN8U pic.twitter.com/t9V8pCk0U8

— Gaurav (@k_gauravs) September 15, 2025

Notably, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha did not attend the post-match presentation ceremony following India’s seven-wicket victory. Shoaib Akhtar expressed support for Agha’s decision, stating, “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).

This match marked the first cricket encounter between India and Pakistan since heightened geopolitical tensions earlier this year, triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack. Leading up to the game, calls circulated across social media and among the Indian public urging the national team not to play. Despite these sentiments, tournament regulations made it nearly impossible to forfeit matches in multinational competitions, so the game went ahead as scheduled.

However, Indian players were mindful of the nation’s mood. Their decision to avoid customary handshakes and maintain a certain distance from the opposition reflected a careful balance between adhering to tournament commitments and standing in solidarity with the country’s sentiments, underscoring the intersection of sport, politics, and national pride.

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