'Who hates India...'- Shahid Afridi praises Rahul Gandhi in Asia Cup 2025 handshake fallout

The handshake controversy from the clash between two arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, from the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is yet to be resolved. It all started when the captain, Suryakumar Yadav, didn’t shake hands with the opposite number, Salman Ali Agha.

Later, the right-handed batter nailed the winning runs against the spinner to claim the victory and walked off the ground with his partner, Shivam Dube. The other members of the Blue Brigade, who were waiting near the dug-out, went upstairs and locked the dressing room. Later, India dedicated the victory to their armed force. On that note, the former all-rounder and captain of the Pakistan side, Shahid Afridi, criticized the Narendra Modi-led Indian government.

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‘This government (in India) always plays the religion and Muslim-Hindu card to stay in power. This is a very bad mindset. Rahul Gandhi has a very positive mindset. He believes in dialogue. Is one Israel not enough that you are trying to become another?” Afridi expressed on a TV channel.

Shahid Afridi criticizes Narendra Modi-led Indian government for the handshake saga

The former all-rounder of the side also praised the leader of the Opposition (LoP) of India, Rahul Gandhi, saying that he has a ‘positive mindset.’ The viral video has made the BJP leaders angry. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), due to the incident, didn’t send their captain to the post-match presentation ceremony, as only Shaheen Afridi came to collect his awards.

Later, the PCB complained to the Indian side for showing unsporting behavior, and the ICC’s match referee, Andy Pycroft, who reportedly asked the Pakistan captain not to shake hands with Suryakumar. They threatened to pull out of the tournament if the ICC didn’t remove Pycroft from the referee panel, a request which has been dismissed by the ICC.

Pakistan, which started the campaign with a win over Oman and lost against India at the same venue, will face the United Arab Emirates at the same ground for the do-or-die clash on September 17. The winner of the competition will qualify for the Super 4 stage of the tournament.