“Jung hi kar lete lekin…”: Rashid Latif on India avoiding handshake with Pakistan after Asia Cup 2025 clash

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India registered a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2025 clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, September 14. However, the post-match scenes overshadowed the on-field performance, drawing sharp criticism from former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif.

According to Latif, India’s actions under the leadership of Suryakumar Yadav “left a blot on the spirit of cricket” and created unnecessary political undertones during the high-profile fixture.

The controversy began at the toss itself, when Suryakumar Yadav and his opposite number Salman Ali Agha avoided eye contact while submitting team sheets to match referee Andy Pycroft. After India comfortably chased down the target, the incident escalated.

Suryakumar sealed the win with a six and, instead of the traditional handshake, immediately walked off the field with teammate Shivam Dube. The Indian team then shut the dressing room doors, leaving Pakistan players waiting for the customary exchange of pleasantries.

This breach of sportsmanship was widely discussed across cricketing circles, and Latif minced no words in expressing his disappointment.

In an interview with Times of India, Latif said the events created a damaging precedent for cricketing relations between the two nations.

“Wars have happened before too, but we always shook hands. These things will remain a blot for a lifetime,” Latif remarked. He also compared the episode to earlier generations, pointing out how legends like Sunil Gavaskar and Javed Miandad maintained respect despite fierce rivalries.

Latif stressed that while national sentiments and recent events were sensitive, cricket should remain free from political gestures.

The incident comes in the backdrop of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 Indian tourists, which was followed by India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terrorist bases across the border. Despite calls for a boycott, the Asia Cup fixture went ahead, though tensions were evident from the start.

Suryakumar dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces in his post-match presentation speech. Latif suggested that such gestures blurred the lines between sportsmanship and politics.

“Your reservations about war or the Pahalgam attack are legitimate. But when you come to the ground, play the sport the right way,” Latif argued.

Latif did not hold back in his criticism, even suggesting that India mishandled its response to the crisis.

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“If Pakistan is involved in the Pahalgam attack, then catch those responsible. Jung hi kar lete, woh bhi nahi ki poori tarah se. [India should have fought the war; they should not have backed out],” he said, adding that the refusal to shake hands looked like a political cover-up rather than a sporting decision.

While India celebrated a clinical win on the field, the off-field drama sparked a heated debate about the intersection of sports and politics. Latif concluded by warning that incidents like these damage the long-term image of cricket as a unifying sport.

“To hide their own mistakes, a lot of things are being done politically. What happened on the ground was not correct,” he signed off.

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