Asia Cup 2025: Did Suryakumar Yadav avoid handshake with Pakistan captain?

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 9, starting with the Afghanistan vs Hong Kong match in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the continental T20I tournament, a press conference took place in Dubai, attended by the captains of all eight participating teams.

During the 30-minute session, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav deliberately avoided handshakes, hugs, and any interaction with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha. Additionally, the seating arrangement had Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan placed between the Indian and Pakistani skippers.

For context, India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the Asia Cup 2025 on September 14 at Dubai International Stadium. This will be their first encounter since the 2025 Champions Trophy earlier this year.

When asked about the UAE conditions during the presser, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) responded, “From the weather perspective, it seems pleasant in the afternoon, and I’m sure everyone would agree. We’ve been here since the 4th, had a few practice sessions, and it feels good. Being among the best teams in Asia, it’s going to be a great challenge.”

Meanwhile, when Salman Agha was asked about Pakistan’s preparations for the Asia Cup, given that the team recently won a tri-series and is in a rebuilding phase, he said, “I think we are playing good cricket. We started building momentum about 4-5 months ago, and now things are coming together. As a team, we are performing well and looking forward to this tournament. Everyone is very excited.”