India registered a snug seven-wicket victory over Pakistan of their Asia Cup 2025 conflict on the Dubai Worldwide Stadium on Sunday, September 14. Nevertheless, the post-match scenes overshadowed the on-field efficiency, drawing sharp criticism from former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif.
Rashid Latif takes a pointy dig at India over handshake snub after Pakistan conflict
Based on Latif, India’s actions beneath the management of Suryakumar Yadav “left a blot on the spirit of cricket” and created pointless political undertones through the high-profile fixture.
The controversy started on the toss itself, when Suryakumar Yadav and his reverse quantity Salman Ali Agha prevented eye contact whereas submitting workforce sheets to match referee Andy Pycroft. After India comfortably chased down the goal, the incident escalated.
Suryakumar sealed the win with a six and, as a substitute of the standard handshake, instantly walked off the sphere with teammate Shivam Dube. The Indian workforce then shut the dressing room doorways, leaving Pakistan gamers ready for the customary trade of pleasantries.
This breach of sportsmanship was broadly mentioned throughout cricketing circles, and Latif minced no phrases in expressing his disappointment.
In an interview with Occasions of India, Latif mentioned the occasions created a dangerous precedent for cricketing relations between the 2 nations.
“Wars have occurred earlier than too, however we all the time shook palms. These items will stay a blot for a lifetime,” Latif remarked. He additionally in contrast the episode to earlier generations, declaring how legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad maintained respect regardless of fierce rivalries.
Latif confused that whereas nationwide sentiments and up to date occasions have been delicate, cricket ought to stay free from political gestures.
“India ought to have fought the Struggle”: Latif’s scathing comment
The incident comes within the backdrop of the terrorist assault in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian vacationers, which was adopted by India’s Operation Sindoor concentrating on terrorist bases throughout the border. Regardless of requires a boycott, the Asia Cup fixture went forward, although tensions have been evident from the beginning.
Suryakumar dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces in his post-match presentation speech. Latif urged that such gestures blurred the strains between sportsmanship and politics.
“Your reservations about struggle or the Pahalgam assault are respectable. However if you come to the bottom, play the game the proper means,” Latif argued.
Latif didn’t maintain again in his criticism, even suggesting that India mishandled its response to the disaster.
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“If Pakistan is concerned within the Pahalgam assault, then catch these accountable. Jung hello kar lete, woh bhi nahi ki poori tarah se. [India should have fought the war; they should not have backed out],” he mentioned, including that the refusal to shake palms appeared like a political cover-up quite than a sporting determination.
Whereas India celebrated a medical win on the sphere, the off-field drama sparked a heated debate concerning the intersection of sports activities and politics. Latif concluded by warning that incidents like these injury the long-term picture of cricket as a unifying sport.
“To cover their very own errors, numerous issues are being executed politically. What occurred on the bottom was not appropriate,” he signed off.
Additionally READ: Shoaib Akhtar expresses disappointment over India’s no-handshake move after Asia Cup 2025 clash with Pakistan
