Shoaib Akhtar 'disheartened' by India's no handshake act: 'Hum bohut kuchh bol sakte hai'

Suryakumar Yadav gave a strong message after all the backlash he and his team faced in the recent couple of days over India-Pakistan encounter at the Asia Cup 2025. While the fixture is one of the most-anticipated meeting, the clash on Sunday saw a different tone form around it. Many expressed disappointment with BCCI continuing with the fixture, which comes just months after the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 people.

Suryakumar, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Sunday, led by example both with his antics and the bat. It all began at the toss when he refused the customary handshake with his Pakistani counterpart Salman Ali Agha, and did the same after the match was over. He and Shivam Dube went straight towards the dressing room, not obliging to any post-match rituals as Pakistan teams stood confused before walking off.

Also Read | Suryakumar Yadav on IND-PAK handshake row: 'We gave them a proper reply'

The matter was addressed by the Pakistan team, with losing captain refusing to engage in the post-match presentation ceremony and a formal protest also been lodged with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) over the gesture.

Celebrated Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar when asked to weigh-in on the matter, called the action "disheartening".