Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha went on to make a massive claim following his side's 5-wicket defeat to India in the Asia Cup final. He claimed that Suryakumar Yadav had shook hands with him in private at the pre-tournament press-conference. He further remarked that the India captain is just following the instructions that he has been given by the team management, but he would have shook hands with him in front of the camera if he was the one to take the decisions.
"He shook hands with me in private at the start of the tournament, both at the pre-tournament press conference and when we met in the referee's meeting. But, when they're out in the world in front of the cameras, they don't shake our hands,” Salman said at the post-match press-conference.
“I'm sure he's following the instructions he's been given. But, if it were up to him, he'd shake hands with me," he added.
Why did Salman accuse India of 'disrespecting' cricket?
On the other hand, Salman also went on to accuse Team India of 'disrespecting' cricket by not shaking hands with them and not posing with them for the trophy photoshoot ahead of the final. He further went on to criticise the Men in Blue for not taking their winner medals during the post-match ceremony and even claimed that no good team would do such things.
"What happened in this tournament, I think it is very disappointing. If you look at it, they feel that by not shaking hands, they are disrespecting us but in fact they are disrespecting cricket. And anyone who disrespects cricket, I think it comes back and I am very sure that it will happen," Salman stated.
"What they have done today, I think a good team doesn't do this. Good teams do what we have done; we went alone and posed with the trophy and even after the loss, we stood there and took our medals. I don't want to use very harsh words but to be very honest, this is very disrespectful to the game, not anyone else," he added.
Meanwhile, India defeated Pakistan in the final to once again assert their dominance over their arch-rivals. This was the third time that they defeated the Men in Green in the tournament. The Men in Blue had previously defeated Salman Ali Agha & Co. once each in both the group and Super 4 stage and then handed them a loss in the all-important final.
India's record-extending Asia Cup triumph
This was India's ninth Asia Cup, which saw them extend their record as the most successful team in the tournament's history. They also ended up going unbeaten in the competition, winning seven matches straight and once again proving that they indeed are the best cricket team when it comes to the Asian continent.