DUBAI (September 29, 2025): Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha announced that the national cricket team will donate their Asia Cup final match fees to the families of civilians and children killed in the May Indian strikes. Speaking at a post-match press conference after the final in Dubai, Agha also condemned India’s “disrespectful” behavior during the tournament, calling it damaging to the spirit of cricket.
The Pakistan Cricket Team has dedicated its Asia Cup final match fees to the innocent victims martyred in the May 7 attack, in which civilians, including children, lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 28, 2025
Key Highlights
- Pakistan team to donate Asia Cup final match fees to families of May attack victims.
- Skipper Salman Ali Agha says India’s refusal to shake hands is “disrespecting cricket.”
- Post-match ceremony delayed 90 minutes after India refused trophy from ACC chief/PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
- Agha: “Good teams don’t do what they did today.”
- Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav shook hands privately, but not on camera.
- Agha: Refusal to handshake is a first in cricket history, bad for youth watching the game.
- Pakistan lost final to India in a last-over thriller.
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Agha’s Sharp Rebuke
Addressing the media, Agha said India’s behavior throughout the tournament had been “very disappointing.” He stressed that the refusal to shake hands was not an insult to Pakistan alone but to cricket itself.
“They’re not disrespecting us by not shaking hands, they’re disrespecting cricket,” Agha told reporters. “Good teams don’t do what they did today. We stood with the medals and trophy because it was our obligation, but their conduct was disrespectful.”
The skipper noted that Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav had no personal issue with him and had shaken hands privately earlier in the tournament. “I’m sure he’s following instructions,” Agha said, “but if it was up to him, he’d shake hands with me.”
Trophy Row and Spirit of the Game
The presentation ceremony was delayed for more than an hour after the Indian team refused to accept the trophy from ACC president and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s Interior Minister.
Calling the episode unprecedented, Agha said: “This is the first time I’ve ever seen this happen. If you won’t take the trophy from the ACC president, how will you get it? It’s very bad for cricket.”
The Pakistan captain emphasized that such conduct sends a poor message to younger fans in both countries: “If a kid’s watching, we’re not inspiring them. We are supposed to be role models.”
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Gesture of Solidarity
Closing the press conference, Agha announced that the team’s Asia Cup final match fees will be donated to the families of those killed in the May Indian attacks on Pakistan.
“As a team, we are donating our Asia Cup final match fees to the families of civilians and children affected,” Agha said, underscoring that Pakistan’s players stand with victims of aggression.
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