After Suryakumar Yadav and Co. denied the customary handshake against Pakistan after the high-octane Asia Cup 2025 clash in Dubai on Sunday, former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif criticised the Indian team and their players for not showing the sportsmanship gesture and urged his cricket board to lodge an official complaint.
Latif said that India not shaking hands is a “blot” that they will have to carry for a lifetime. “Wars have happened before too, but we have always shaken hands. These things will remain a blot for a lifetime,” Latif was quoted as saying by TimesofIndia.com.
India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets after being asked to bowl first. The Men in Blue restricted Pakistan to 127/9 in 20 overs before chasing the low-score target in less than 16 overs.
Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Latif continued to question India and said, “Your reservations in terms of war or the Pahalgam attack are legitimate. But when you come to the ground, play the sport the right way. If Pakistan is involved in the Pahalgam attack, then catch those who are responsible.
“‘Jung hi kar lete, woh bhi nahi ki puri tarah se’ (India should have fought the war, but they didn’t even do that properly). India should have fought the war, they should not have backed out. To hide their own mistakes, a lot of things are being done politically. What happened on the ground was not correct,” he said, adding that he personally “did not like it” and that the Indian team “left a wrong impression,” he added.
After the match, India captain Suryakumar had said the team stands in solidarity with the kin of the victims of the terror Pahalgam attack and dedicated the win.
“Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims of the families of Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to put a smile on their face,” he said at the post-match chat.
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India coach Gautam Gambhir also echoed his skipper’s words and said the team stands in solidarity with the families of the victims of the terror attack, thanking the Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor.
“The match was important for us because as a team we wanted to show our solidarity to the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. For everything they have gone through. More importantly, we want to thank our armed forces for their successful Operation Sindoor, and I’m sure we will try and make our country proud and happy,” Gambhir said.
