Desk Report,
Not shaking hands after the match: India’s explanation, Pakistan’s protest
No matter how cold the diplomatic relations between the two countries are, it is desirable that both sides forget about it and behave amicably on the playing field.
Agha Salman-Shahin Afridi might have been standing on the field thinking that. They were waiting for Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dubey to shake hands with them, even if it was just for the sake of courtesy. Then the others in the dugout would also shake hands.
Not shaking hands after the match: India’s explanation, Pakistan’s protest
But what Suryakumar and Dubey did after defeating India in the group stage match of the Asia Cup in Dubai yesterday is like showing the thumbs up to the cricketing spirit. Far from shaking hands with the Pakistanis at the end of the match, Suryakumar and Dubey did not even look back at them. They walked straight towards the dressing room.
What happened next is even more surprising. As soon as Suryakumar and Dubey entered the dressing room, someone closed the door so that no Pakistani could meet the Indians! Pakistan boycotted the award ceremony in protest against such behavior of the Indians. However, in explaining the decision not to shake hands with the Pakistanis, India said that they did so to stand by the families of the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahelgam. Indian captain Suryakumar did not shake hands with Pakistan captain Agha Salman not only at the end of the match, but also during the toss. Suryakumar came to the press conference as India’s representative after defeating arch-rivals Pakistan on his 35th birthday. Suryakumar said, “Look, I think some things in life are bigger than sportsmanship. Our government and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) – we all took this decision (not to shake hands with the Pakistanis). We are here just to play against them and give a befitting reply.” Suryakumar also said, “I also said at the award ceremony that we stand by all the victims of the terrorist attack in Pahelgam. We have solidarity with their families. And as I said, we dedicate this victory to our brave soldiers, who took part in Operation Sindoor. They always inspire us. “If we get the opportunity, we also want to inspire them.”
