Dubai: Indian cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav has drawn criticism after shaking hands with Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during the Asia Cup trophy ceremony.
The handshake, captured during the event, quickly went viral on social media. Many Indian users expressed anger, calling the gesture inappropriate due to Naqvi’s political role and past statements against India.
One social media comment read, “Shaking hands with Pakistan’s Interior Minister is the height of shamelessness.” Another user wrote, “Suryakumar Yadav is shaking hands with the very man who threatened India after Operation Sindoor.”
Several Indian media outlets also highlighted the incident, questioning the captain’s decision given the tense relations between India and Pakistan. Analysts noted that sports diplomacy often requires caution, especially when political figures are involved.
Mohsin Naqvi assumed office as ACC President earlier this year, in addition to serving as Pakistan’s Interior Minister. His presence at the Asia Cup ceremony was part of official ACC duties, including the trophy unveiling.
Despite the backlash, some fans defended Suryakumar Yadav, stating that shaking hands is a standard gesture of respect and sportsmanship, unrelated to politics. The incident, however, has reignited debates on how Indian sports leaders interact with Pakistani officials.
The controversy comes ahead of critical matches in the Asia Cup, adding off-field tension to an already high-stakes tournament. Cricket authorities are yet to issue a formal statement regarding the handshake.
With social media reactions continuing to pour in, the gesture by Suryakumar Yadav has sparked widespread discussion on the balance between diplomacy, sportsmanship, and national sentiment in international cricket events.
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