Handshake snub turns ugly as ex-Pak cricketer Mohammad Yousuf abuses Suryakumar Yadav on live TV

Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammad Yousuf (Pic: File Pic/X/@yousaf1788)

The ongoing Asia Cup 2025 has taken a controversial turn following a handshake snub during the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan, with tensions spilling over into the post-match fallout. The incident has drawn sharp reactions, including an explosive outburst by former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf, who verbally attacked India captain Suryakumar Yadav during a live television debate.

The flashpoint occurred during Sunday's match, which India won convincingly by nine wickets. At the toss, Suryakumar visibly avoided shaking hands with his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Ali Agha. The tension carried into the post-match proceedings, where Suryakumar and teammate Shivam Dube walked off the field without acknowledging or engaging in the customary handshakes, even as the Pakistan team waited on the field for the gesture.

This act of non-engagement led to accusations of unsportsmanlike conduct, with several former Pakistani players and commentators expressing outrage. The most notable reaction came from Yousuf, who went on a tirade during a live panel discussion on Samaa TV, accusing India of foul play and questioning the integrity of their captain.

Highlights from the panel discussion:

Yousuf: "India cannot escape their castle of illusion. Their captain, Suarkumar Yadav…"

Anchor: "It's Suryakumar Yadav."

Yousuf: "Yeah, that's what I said. Suarkumar Yadav."

Anchor: "No, his name is Suryakumar Yadav."

Yousuf: "Oh, okay! He is Suarkumar Yadav. India should be ashamed of itself because of its shenanigans to win matches: keeping the Umpire in cohorts and torturing the referee to act according to them. There is a limit to everything."

The controversial on-field snub by the Indian team is being interpreted by some as a silent protest, in response to heightened political tensions between the two nations following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year and India's military response, ‘Operation Sindoor'.

In the aftermath, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has filed an official complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), accusing the Indian team of violating the spirit of the game and demanding action. The PCB's complaint also included a call for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, alleging that he instructed Agha not to initiate a handshake with the Indian skipper at the toss.

However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed the PCB's appeal. "Late last night, ICC had sent a reply to PCB stating that Pycroft won't be removed and their plea has been rejected," an ICC official told news agency PTI.

The 69-year-old Pycroft, a former Zimbabwean cricketer, is scheduled to officiate Pakistan's final group-stage match against the UAE on Wednesday.

Team India will now clash against Oman to conclude their group stage matches of the Asia Cup 2025 on September 19.