Following Sunday's Group A Asia Cup 2025 match at the Dubai International Stadium, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi went on a tirade, attacking Suryakumar Yadav's India for ignoring the traditional handshakes after the game against Salman Ali Agha's team.  

Suryakumar and the rest of the Indian team closed the door on their opponents and declined to shake hands with the Pakistani side after India won by seven wickets.

As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has threatened to withdraw from the Asia Cup if the ICC does not remove match referee Andy Pycroft for the rest of the competition.

To add salt to the wounds, Suryakumar Yadav mentioned the Pahalgam victims and dedicated the win to the Indian armed forces in his post-match presentation speech. This ceremony was boycotted by Pakistan captain Salman Agha.

Shahid Afridi, a known critic of India as a country and the Indian team, hasn't taken too kindly to the actions of the Indian team, saying the players from across the border have become an “embarrassment in front of the world.”

“When the Asia Cup began, social media was filled with the boycott campaigns ahead of the match between India and Pakistan. Considering there was pressure, it is no surprise that the players and the BCCI were told not to shake hands with our team,” Afridi said during a discussion on Samaa TV.

The PCB and its chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the head of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), have taken a position that Afridi stated he completely supports. The former captain of Pakistan claimed that the Indian team lacked "sportsman spirit."

“In my opinion, there was no sportsman spirit. They would once again be shamed in front of the world. I think our stance was bang on. Our PCB chairman has taken the right stand. Overall, it's outstanding. I have always said that players should be great ambassadors and not an embarrassment. I don't want to fault the Indian cricketers; they were given orders from up above," he added.

When India captain Suryakumar shook hands with ACC chairman Naqvi and Pakistan captain Agha during the official captain's news conference before the Asia Cup, he was ridiculed on social media.

Afridi raised the issue, stating that it is hard to comprehend the concept of double standards.

“The same Suryakumar Yadav shook hands with Salman Agha and Mohsin Naqvi at the captain's press conference. Now in front of the crowd, the government was not able to handle the social media pressure. Indian players have now become an embarrassment in front of the world,” Afridi concluded.

If Pakistan defeats the UAE in their next match and qualifies for the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s, they will face India again on Sunday.