Why did Pakistan captain Salman Agha skip the post-match presentation? Head coach Mike Hesson says 'cause and effect after what happened'

UPDATED: Sep 15, 2025 07:55 AM IST

Why did Pakistan captain Salman Agha skip the post-match presentation? Head coach Mike Hesson says 'cause and effect after what happened'

Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube walk back to the dressing room after 7-wicket victory over Pakistan; Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson speaks at the post-match press conference.

Story Highlights:

Suryakumar Yadav hit the winning six and walked straight back to the dressing room.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha did not come for the post-match presentation.

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said that Agha was absent due to customary handshake refusal from Indian players.

On September 14, the high voltage clash between India and Pakistan turned out to be a one-sided affair as Suryakumar Yadav's men registered a seven-wicket victory. After Suryakumar smashed Sufiya Muqeem for a six to finish the run chase, he headed straight to the dressing room with his batting partner Shivam Dube. There were no customary handshakes which seemed to irk the Pakistan captain Salman Agha to a point that he did not even turn up to the post-match presentation. Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson in the post-match press conference confirmed that Agha did not turn up to talk to the broadcasters due to series of events after the match.

“We wanted to shake hands but disappointed that the opposition didn’t do that. Also disappointed with the way we played. Pakistan captain Salman not coming for post-match presentation was cause and effect after what happened,” Hesson told the reporters at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

"We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game, We are disappointed that our opposition didn’t do that, we went there to shake hands but they had already gone to the changing room, it was a disappointing way for the match to finish," says Pakistan's coach Mike Hesson pic.twitter.com/upXOtMMu8w
— Mahii (@Mahii_Baloch1) September 14, 2025

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What Suryakumar said on not shaking hands with Pakistan players

Meanwhile, Suryakumar had a clear stance right from the start. He did not shake hands before the coin toss with the opposition before the coin toss or after. He dedicated the win to victims of Pahalgam terrorist attack that led to India carrying out Operation Sindoor and military conflict on the border.

"Our government and BCCI - we were aligned today," Suryakumar told the reporters. "Rest, we took a call [about not shaking hands]. We came here to just play the game. We have given a proper reply."

Well done, Team India! After thrashing Pakistan, the Indian team didn’t even come out to shake hands with the losing side, as is customary.

The best part: Captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed solidarity with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. He dedicated… pic.twitter.com/MlAC8axCGa
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 14, 2025

Suryakumar was asked whether refusing to shake hands after the game was against the spirit of the game.

"Few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit also. I've [said] it at the presentation as well, we stand with all the victims of Pahalgam terror attacks, stand with their families, and express our solidarity," the 35-year-old replied.

India through to Super Fours, Pakistan face must-win game

Meanwhile, India have all but cemented their place in the Super Fours. India's next group stage match is against Oman at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on September 19. On the other hand, Pakistan will face United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their must-win clash on September 17.