Salman Ali Agha reveals referee’s heads-up on Suryakumar handshake snub, questions boycott: 'Don't recall his name'

Salman Ali Agha has finally revealed that match referee Andy Pycroft had informed him in advance about India captain Suryakumar Yadav not wanting to shake hands with him in the Asia Cup 2025. He even added that Pakistan were also not interested in shaking hands with India; however, their immediate reaction and the controversy they created around the incident speak otherwise.

The whole no-handshake controversy began after SKY refused to shake hands with Salman at the toss in the first India vs Pakistan encounter in the Asia Cup 2025. Indian players did not shake hands with Pakistani cricketers even after the match as the game was taking place only months after the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 innocent lives were lost.

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Interestingly, Suryakumar had shaken hands with Salman and Pakistan Cricket Board head Mohsin Naqvi during the pre-tournament presser. Nonetheless, his refusal to shake hands on matchday turned into a massive controversy as Pakistan lodged a complaint with the ICC against the match referee, accusing him of siding with India.

'I wasn't desperate to shake hands with India'

In a recent podcast, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha revealed that he was made aware of the handshake boycott moments before the toss, and he had also no interest in taking part in the exchange with SKY.

"Before the tournament, a press conference was held, during which a handshake took place. During the trophy photoshoot, we shook hands as well. So, when I went for the toss, I was completely normal. Of course, I had an idea that things wouldn't be as normal, but I didn't think it would escalate to the point where there would be no handshake. I didn't expect that," Agha said on the ARY podcast.

"I went for the toss with my media manager, Naim Bhai. The match referee - I don't recall his name - took me aside and told me, 'They are going to do this; there won't be a handshake, so please keep that in mind'. I replied, 'If there's no handshake, then so be it'. It's not like I was desperate to shake hands. So that's how it happened; he told me beforehand that there would be no handshake. After the match ended, we lost, and we were walking toward their pavilion for the handshake, they still didn't shake hands," he added.

Agha, however, added that national cricketers are like role models, and he should not boycott handshakes as it can have an impact on upcoming players.

"I've said this many times I don't think this is the right thing to do. When we represent a nation—and I play for Pakistan—people watch me. Children will pick up on this, and if it happens in a club game the next day, it will be because of me in some way, as I'm a part of it. When you are a role model, I believe doing these things is important," he added.