Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting had to take to social media to dismiss a fake quote attributed to him, calling India losers, in the aftermath of the controversy in the India v Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match in Dubai on Sunday.

Things have been on fire ever since India captain Suryakumar Yadav refused to shake hands with Pakistan captain Salman Agha after the toss. Then the Indian team, led by Surya, refused to shake hands with the Pakistan team after winning the match by 7 wickets.

Soon after, a fake statement began making the rounds on the internet, with a Pakistan team fan page claiming Ponting had criticized India and commended Pakistan for their actions, portraying Pakistan as the real athlete and India as the loser.

“This match will be remembered forever with India as the big loser. The way the Pakistani team wanted to shake hands at the end has immortalised them as champions of the gentleman's game with India as the perpetual sore loser,” the quote read.

After the comment got much mileage on social media, Ricky Ponting took to X and clarified that he didn’t make any such statements on the Asia Cup, and if any such quotes are doing the rounds, they are all fake.

“I am aware of certain comments being attributed to me on social media. Please know that I categorically did not make those statements and indeed have made no public comment about the Asia Cup at all,” Ponting posted on X.

Andy Pycroft, the match referee, was accused by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of interfering at the toss to stop the two captains from shaking hands, and the PCB had previously threatened to quit the Asia Cup if he was not replaced.

Usman Wahla, the PCB's Director of International Cricket Operations, was also suspended amid the issue. Wahla was disciplined by the Mohsin Naqvi-led board for "failing to take timely action" about the handshake dispute that marred the high-profile meeting, according to reports in Pakistani media.