Shoaib Akhtar's Comment On India's Gesture (Source: @HindutvaOne/x.com, @OyeBhartsingh/x.com)
The biggest showdown of the Asia Cup 2025 has ended with intense drama after Team India snatched the thrilling victory against Pakistan with an almost one-sided dominance. Above the result, Team India’s no handshake approach to the Pakistani side grabbed the attention as the move sparked buzz.
The moment split the world over, whether it was the right gesture from the Men in Blue or not. Reflecting on this, former Pakistani legend Shoaib Akhtar remained speechless, calling it ‘Disheartening’.
Shoaib Akhtar Remains Speechless On India’s Gesture
As the India-Pakistan clash always excites the cricket world, the Asia Cup 2025 was even more spine-chilling, as the arch-rivals were facing each other for the first time after the Operation Sindoor. The rivalry wasn’t just with the bat and ball; it spilled into body language, too. Adding more spice to it, Suryakumar Yadav and Co. went straight to the dressing room after the win, ignoring the Pakistani players for a handshake.
That unexpected gesture stunned the cricket world, and soon it became a matter of discussion. The move amazed Pakistani legend Shoaib Akhtar, too. Weighing in this moment, he called it disheartening while urging the Men in Blue not to make things political.
“I'm speechless. It is disheartening to see, and I don't know what to say. Hats off to India. Just don't make things political. Cricket match hain isko political mat banao. Hum ne acchi statement di hai aapkee liye," Aktar said.
"Hum bohut kuchh bol sakte hai. Hoti rehte hain ladayi jhagre, ghar me bhi ho jaati hain. (Don't make a cricket match political. We have said nice things about you. We can say a lot of things about the no handshake. Fights happen, even inside your house. Forget it, move on. It is the game of cricket, shake your hands, show your grace.),” Akhtar said.
India’s Dominance Leaves Pakistan In The Dust
The last encounter added another forgettable outing for the Men in Green against India. Meeting at the Dubai International Stadium, Pakistan opted to bat first, and that decision turned out as a nightmare for them. The Pakistani batters couldn’t survive for long against India’s lethal bowling attack. Depending on Sahibzada Farhan’s 40 and Shaheen Afridi’s unbeaten 33, Pakistan put on a low total of 127 runs.
Chasing the modest total, Team India had a fiery start. After Gill walked away, scoring 10 runs, Tilak Varma and Abhishek Sharma teamed up. Abhishek’s explosive 31 put Pakistan on the back foot. Once he departed, captain Suryakumar Yadav took charge, crafting an unbeaten 47 to steer India to a commanding 7-wicket victory.
