Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson hits back at India’s ‘disappointing’ refusal of post-match handshake

Table of Contents

In a turn of events that has overshadowed their dominant seven-wicket victory, the Indian cricket team’s refusal to engage in the customary post-match handshake with Pakistan has sparked a major controversy. The snub, which followed a similar incident between the captains at the toss, left Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson visibly frustrated and drew a strong response from both sides. The incident has added another layer of tension to an already heated rivalry, raising questions about sportsmanship and the influence of political sentiment on the field.

The Pakistan camp was left visibly frustrated and disappointed after the Indian players bypassed the traditional post-match ritual. In the moments following India’s victory, Pakistan’s players, including captain Salman Ali Agha, gathered near the Indian dressing room, expecting to participate in the customary show of sportsmanship. Head coach Mike Hesson, who had also approached the Indian team area, was openly dismayed at the snub.

He confirmed in the post-match press conference that his team was ready to shake hands, but the Indian players had already retreated into their changing room without a single acknowledgment. Hesson described the incident as a “disappointing way for the match to finish” and a stark contrast to what he expected. Following the incident, Salman Agha did not attend the post-match presentation, a decision Hesson confirmed was a “flow-on effect” of the handshake incident. The Pakistan team management later issued a statement, arguing that the Indian team’s behavior went against the spirit of sportsmanship.

“Obviously, we were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We were disappointed that our opposition didn’t do that. We sort of went over there to shake hands and they were already going to the changing room. That was a disappointing way for the match to play. In a match that we were disappointed in the way we played, but certainly we were willing to go and shake hands,” Hesson was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Also WATCH: Pakistan suffer major embarrassment as DJ plays ‘jalebi baby’ instead of national anthem – Asia Cup 2025

The Indian team’s actions were not a random act but a deliberate decision rooted in the recent political climate. The post-match drama was preceded by a similar incident at the toss, where captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha also declined to shake hands or make eye contact. The Indian side’s actions are linked to the strained relations between the two nations following a terror attack in Pahalgam, which took place in April 2025.

After the win, Suryakumar Yadav addressed the incident directly, dedicating the victory to the victims of the attack and the Indian armed forces. He stated in the post-match press conference that a “few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit,” confirming that the team’s stance was aligned with the BCCI and the government. This public declaration turned the cricket match into a powerful political statement. While India secured a dominant win on the field, their unprecedented refusal to shake hands has become the defining moment of the contest.

Also READ: Asia Cup 2025: Did Suryakumar Yadav & Salman Ali Agha snub toss handshake? Watch video – IND vs PAK