Former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif shared his thoughts on Team India refusing to shake hands with Pakistan players after the Asia Cup 2025 match. Latif stated that the Men in Blue are one of the best teams in the world, but skipping the handshake with the opposition players reflects poor sportsmanship.
A controversy took place after the Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, September 14. The two teams skipped the customary post-match handshake, with India showing solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year, in which 26 tourists lost their lives.
India Are the Best Team in the World – Rashid Latif
Rashid Latif criticized Team India for refusing to shake hands, stating that bringing politics onto the cricket field was inappropriate. Latif accused the Suryakumar Yadav-led team of playing politics after the recent match.
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“Yes you are India cricket , yes you are the best team in the world .. but not to shake hands at the end of the game .. shows your real colours !!! Pakistan players were waiting but Indian players went inside dressing room !! Where is ICC,” Rashid Latif wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Rashid Latif reacts to Indian players not shaking hands with Pakistan players.#INDvPAK | #Cricket | #Pakistan | #RashidLatif | #AsiaCup2025 | #India pic.twitter.com/Urbe8y5nxj
— Khel Shel (@khelshel) September 14, 2025
The India-Pakistan match took place amid high tension. After the Pahalgam attack, politicians and fans urged a boycott of the match against their archrivals. However, the BCCI decided to go ahead and play against Pakistan in the eight-team tournament.
India Skips Post-Match Handshake After Victory Over Pakistan
The match began with captain Suryakumar Yadav avoiding any handshake or eye contact with Salman Ali Agha. After hitting the winning six, Suryakumar and Shivam Dube returned to the dressing room without the customary post-match handshake with Pakistan players.
Later, the Pakistan team, along with coach Mike Hesson, approached the Indian dressing room to offer handshakes, but the Indian management closed the doors. A frustrated Hesson told the media that his players had wanted to shake hands.
Team India clarified that they did not wish to maintain a friendly vibe with their opponents. Both teams could meet again in the Super 4s. It will be interesting to see how India approaches the Men in Green.
India Should Have Fought the War – Rashid Latif
Speaking to The Times of India, Rashid Latif stated that India should have fought the war rather than accuse Pakistan of covering their mistakes.
“Jung hi kar lete, woh bhi nahi ki puri tarah se (India should have fought the war, but they didn’t even do that properly). India should have fought the war, they should not have backed out,” Latif said.
“To hide their own mistakes, a lot of things are being done politically. What happened on the ground was not correct.”
In May 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor and attacked terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack. Pakistan responded by targeting civilian areas in India. The conflict lasted four days before a ceasefire ended the hostilities.
Also read: BCCI jumps in India vs Pakistan No-Handshake controversy; tough time incoming for Pakistan?
