IND vs PAK: Salman Agha non-committal on handshake ahead of T20 WC match

Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, refrained from confirming whether his team would engage in the customary handshake with India before their T20 World Cup encounter on Sunday. Despite the growing speculation and controversy surrounding the matter, Agha emphasized that both teams should prioritize the spirit of the game above all else.

Suryakumar Yadav’s Previous Statement

The issue first gained attention during the Asia Cup in September when India’s captain, Suryakumar Yadav, made a public announcement in Dubai. Yadav declared that his team would not shake hands with Pakistan as a gesture of respect for the Indian citizens who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. The decision was also seen as a show of solidarity with the Indian Army during ‘Operation Sindoor.’

Uncertainty Ahead of Sunday’s Match

With the two teams preparing to face off in what promises to be a high-stakes match, it is expected that the handshake protocol will remain in place. Neither captain is anticipated to extend a handshake either during the toss or after the match.

Agha, however, remained tight-lipped about the issue and said, “We will see about it tomorrow” when asked whether the teams would follow the practice on Sunday.

Agha Calls for Respecting the Spirit of Cricket

Amidst the tension, Agha expressed his desire for the game to be played in the true spirit of cricket. “I expect the game should play in the spirit it has always been played since its inception,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of maintaining respect for the sport, regardless of the off-field controversies.

As the match draws nearer, all eyes will be on whether this long-standing tradition will be altered or if both teams will rise above the political tensions to focus on the game itself.
Salman on Abhishek’s fitness
The Pakistan skipper also commented on Abhishek Sharma’s fitness ahead of the game and hoped that he would be available for the clash tomorrow. “I hope Abhishek Sharma plays tomorrow. I really hope he’s recovering well. We want to play against the best.” he said.
Salman not worried about Usman Tariq’s action
When asked about his spinner Usman Tariq’s ‘questionable’ bowling action, Salman clarified that he doesn’t see any issues in it and that the player himself doesn’t worry about it much. “Usman has been cleared twice by the ICC. I don’t know why there is talk about his action. He doesn’t care about all this talk.”

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