India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha gave interviews to two different commentators at the toss ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup final between the two sides. The two captains didn’t shake hands at the toss, as had been the case in the last two games between India and Pakistan in the tournament, but this time, there was the unusual sight of both players being interviewed by two different former players.
India’s Suryakumar, who won the toss and chose to bowl first, spoke with former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri after which Agha stepped up and spoke wither former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis. Earlier, Suryakumar had walked off without shaking hands with Agha after giving his interview at the toss in the first match of the tournament between the two sides in September 14, which had come amid backlash in India over the match being played at all. It was the first game between India and Pakistan since the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the conflict that followed between the two countries.
Suryakumar later bought up the Pahalgam terror attack and dedicated the seven-wicket win to the Armed forces. The controversy around the handshake incident ended up stretching for the rest of the week, with Pakistan asking for Andy Pycroft, who was referee for the match, to be removed from the position. When that demand as not heeded to, they demanded an apology from Pycroft before their final group match against UAE. The game ended up being delayed by an hour.
There was no handshake between Suryakumar and Agha in the Super Four clash between the two sides on September 21 either. This time, though, a lot of sparks flew between the two sides on the field and between fans and players as well. India won the match by six wickets.
No Hardik Pandya for India
India were handed a big blow before the match with all-rounder Hardik Pandya having to sit out. Suryakumar said at the toss that Pandya is out with a niggle. Meanwhile, Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube came in for Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. Pakistan retained the same eleven from the last match.
“We have been batting well first but we would like to chase today. The groundsmen have done a terrific job with the wickets here and it will stay the same. The brand of cricket we have been playing for the last 5-6 games is pretty good and we would like to continue that,” Suryakumad had said.
Agha, meanwhile, said that Pakistan were happy to bat first. “Definitely happy to bat first. We are very excited and looking forward to this game. We haven’t played a perfect game and hopefully we play one today. Same side. We have been playing on these pitches for a while and it will play the same,” he said.
