Legendary India captain Kapil Dev has strongly criticized Pakistan’s team and cricket board for escalating the so-called “handshake controversy” during the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. He urged the neighbors to concentrate on improving their performance on the field rather than issuing “wrong statements” that only fuel unnecessary drama.
The Handshake Controversy
During India’s Group A clash against Pakistan, the Indian team chose not to shake hands with their rivals, a move that quickly snowballed into a heated debate. Pakistan captain Salman Agha expressed his displeasure by skipping the post-match interview, while the PCB accused match referee Andy Pycroft of instructing captains to avoid handshakes at the toss.
The PCB even wrote to the ICC, demanding Pycroft’s removal and hinting at a possible withdrawal from the tournament. However, the ICC twice rejected their complaints.
Pakistan’s Protest Intensifies
The row deepened when Pakistan players were told to stay inside their hotel rooms ahead of their next match against the UAE in Dubai, delaying the fixture by an hour. The PCB later claimed that Pycroft had apologized to the team.
Kapil Dev’s Response
Reacting sharply, Kapil Dev dismissed the fuss, stating that handshakes were not part of cricket’s rules but simply a customary practice. “It is a personal choice. If someone doesn’t want to shake hands, there’s no need to make it a big issue,” he told ANI.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain added, “Pakistan did not play good cricket; they need to work on that instead of making controversial statements. Cricket should be about the game, not about these distractions.”
