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SKY refuses photoshoot with Agha Salman in fresh controversy before Asia Cup final: Report

Debashis Sarangi

SKY has refused photoshoot with Agha Salman [Source: @VibhuBhola/X]SKY has refused photoshoot with Agha Salman [Source: @VibhuBhola/X]

According to the emerging reports, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to do the pre-match photoshoot with his Pakistani counterpart Agha Salman before the much-anticipated Asia Cup final. Thus, another chapter has been added to the India-Pakistan controversy just before the ultimate clash of the tournament. 

No pre-match photoshoot in IND vs PAK Asia Cup final

Generally, captains from the teams set to play the final attend a customary pre-match photoshoot before the game. Therefore, Suryakumar Yadav and Agha Salman were supposed to be shot in one frame alongside the Asia Cup trophy. 

However, the Indian team reportedly maintained its stance of not being involved in any kind of interaction with the Pakistani players amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions between the neighbouring nations.  So, Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India in the tournament, refused to shake hands with Agha Salman, his counterpart from the rival nation. 

The news was broken by News24 journalist Vaibhav Bhola, while leading Indian media agencies, including the Times of India (TOI), vindicated the same. 

Reacting to Suryakumar's decision to skip the photoshoot, Pakistan captain Agha Salman stated that his side would adhere to the protocols, regardless of the Indian team's decision. 

India-Pakistan controversy timeline in the Asia Cup

The "no photoshoot" saga has been added to the everlasting chapter of the India-Pakistan cold war amid the ongoing Asia Cup. Earlier, the Indian team refused to shake hands with the Pakistani players, while captain Suryakumar Yadav was sanctioned 30 per cent of his match fees for speaking on the Pahalgam terror attack in his post-match statements. 

Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan was reprimanded by the ICC for his bazooka celebration, with the apex body penalising Haris Rauf for his controversial gestures during the game against India. The heated atmosphere has set the tone for a cracking final, with both teams aiming to dominate each other at Dubai International Stadium.