VIRAL PIC – Suryakumar Yadav’s Handshake With PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi Sparks Fan Outrage! News24 –
As Asia Cup 2025 draws near, political tensions are spilling onto the cricket field and now a backstage moment between India captain Suryakumar Yadav and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is drawing sharp reactions from Indian fans online.
Suryakumar’s Handshake with PCB Chief Goes Viral
A video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board’s official handle shows Naqvi entering the media room in Dubai, where the captains of all eight participating teams had gathered ahead of the tournament’s trophy shoot and press conference.
In the video, Naqvi is seen warmly embracing Pakistan skipper Salman Agha, then walking over to Suryakumar Yadav and offering a handshake which the Indian captain respectfully accepted. The clip quickly went viral, triggering a wave of backlash on Indian social media.
Many fans were left disappointed by the gesture, especially in light of Mohsin Naqvi’s recent controversial remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack, which he reportedly dismissed as “a drama.” With India-Pakistan diplomatic relations already under strain, the handshake has become a symbolic flashpoint.
No Handshake Between Suryakumar and Salman Agha
Interestingly, during the official Asia Cup 2025 pre-tournament press conference, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha avoided any direct interaction. While Surya greeted other captains like Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan and even Naqvi, he and Agha exchanged no words, no handshakes, and barely any eye contact.
This silence between the two captains hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially given the rising tension around the India vs Pakistan clash scheduled for September 14. With growing public calls in India to boycott Pakistan in sports, the event’s atmosphere was already tense and the body language of both skippers reflected that.
A Delicate Backdrop to a High-Stakes Game
Cricket has long been intertwined with politics when it comes to India and Pakistan, and the backdrop to this year’s Asia Cup is no different. The Pahalgam terror attack and the resulting border conflict have led to increased scrutiny of any interaction between the two nations – even in sports.
As India prepares to kick off their campaign against UAE on September 10, and the much-anticipated India-Pakistan showdown looms, these off-field moments are adding even more drama to what’s already one of the sport’s fiercest rivalries.