The controversial clash between India and Pakistan ended with the Men in Blue dominating Pakistan by 7 wickets in Dubai.. After the match, Indian batters left the field without shaking hands and shut their dressing room doors, despite Pakistan players waiting on the ground. In response, Salman Agha was not sent out for the post-match interview.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressed his disappointment after the Indian team refused to shake hands.
"We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We obviously are disappointed that our opposition didn't do that," he said. "We sort of went over there to shake hands, and they'd already gone into the changing room."
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PCB Slams India’s Conduct as Agha Skips Post-Match Ceremony
Despite the result, Hesson emphasized that his team was willing to uphold post-match sportsmanship.
"That was a disappointing way for the match to finish, and although we were disappointed with the way we played, we were certainly willing to shake hands."
Hesson further clarified that Salman Agha’s absence from the post-match ceremony was a direct consequence of India’s refusal to engage in the handshake. He added that Pakistan manager Naveed Akram had formally complained about the incident.
Hesson described Agha's absence as a "follow-on effect" of India's stance. The PCB supported this, calling India’s actions "against sportsmanship" in an official statement.
"Manager Naveed Akram Cheema has registered a formal protest against the match referee's behaviour," the PCB statement read. "The match referee requested the captains not to shake hands during the toss."
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Suryakumar Cites Government Alignment
However, clarity on India’s decision emerged later when Suryakumar Yadav explained that the move was in alignment with instructions from the Indian government.
"Our government and BCCI — we were aligned today," Suryakumar said during his post-match press conference. "Rest, we took a call [about not shaking hands]. We came here just to play the game. We have given a proper reply."
While India's dominant win on the field was never in question, it is the post-match fallout the refusal to acknowledge Pakistan’s players and even the match officials that has now become the defining talking point of this year’s Continental Cup clash.
