Salman Ali Agha's cryptic remark on handshake controversy ahead of IND vs PAK T20 World Cup

The tension surrounding the upcoming T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan has reached a fever pitch, following recent comments from Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha. During a pre-match press conference, Agha reignited the conversation regarding the handshake controversy that has shadowed recent fixtures between the two rivals. While he expressed a formal desire for the game to be conducted with true sportsmanship, his additional remarks suggested a lingering uncertainty about the off-field rapport between the teams.

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Cricket should be played in spirit: Salman Agha on IND vs PAK handshake controversy

Agha’s tone turned cryptic when specifically questioned about whether the traditional post-match formalities would proceed without issue. Rather than offering a definitive assurance, he pointedly remarked that the world would have to wait until tomorrow to see if the Indian team intends to shake hands. This open-ended statement has added fresh fuel to the ongoing narrative, ensuring that the psychological battle is well underway before the first ball is even bowled.

“Cricket should be played in spirit. My personal opinion may not matter, but cricket should be played the way it has always been played. It’s up to them to decide what to do,” Agha said at the pre-match press conference.

All about India vs Pakistan handshake controversy

The current tension is rooted in a significant diplomatic rift that began during the Asia Cup in early 2025. Following a terror attack in Pahalgam that April, the Indian team abandoned traditional pre- and post-match formalities as a mark of protest. This was most visible during their group-stage encounter, where Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined the customary handshake at the toss, and the team bypassed their opponents entirely to return to the dugout following their victory.

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This gesture sparked immediate outrage within the Pakistan camp, leading to a formal complaint from the PCB. The board alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft had informed Salman Ali Agha privately before the toss that the handshake would not be happening. The situation nearly derailed the tournament when Pakistan threatened a boycott, eventually arriving an hour late to their subsequent match against the UAE. While a meeting between PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and Pycroft reportedly defused the immediate crisis, the underlying resentment remained.

The friction reached a breaking point during the tournament's closing ceremony. Reports indicate the Indian team refused to join the presentation dais because Naqvi was present, an act that prompted the PCB chief to order the trophy’s removal from the stage. In a surreal conclusion to the event, the Indian players reportedly waited for the officials to vacate the area before returning to the podium to celebrate their win and take photos on their own terms.