Pakistan leader Salman Ali Agha accused Suryakumar Yadav-led India of disrespecting the game of cricket during the final match of the Asia Cup, stressing that the  chain of events was marred by disputes on and off the field. Notably, India refused to collect the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Mohsin Naqvi.
The standoff between Naqvi and the Surya-led side continued till one hour before the former went away with the Continental Cup Trophy and winners' medals, leaving Surya and Co. stranded in the Dubai Stadium.
"What happened in this tournament, I think it is very disappointing," Agha said at the post-match press conference after India beat Pakistan by five wickets. "If you look at it, they feel that by not shaking hands, they are disrespecting us, but in fact, they are disrespecting cricket. And anyone who disrespects cricket, I think it comes back, and I am very sure that it will happen.
"What they have done today, I think a good team doesn't do this. Good teams do what we have done; we went alone and posed with the trophy, and even after the loss, we stood there and took our medals. I don't want to use very harsh words, but to be very honest, this is very disrespectful to the game, not anyone else."
Salman Agha defends team's decision to cancel multiple pre-match conferences
For the unversed, Salman supported his team's decision not to partake in multiple pre- and post-match conferences, saying it was a blunt and direct answer to India's conduct.
"Yes, there was no pre-match press conference at times, but those things that happened after whatever happened on the ground. We were not the ones to start. And, to be honest, it is not about who is doing it; whatever is happening is bad for the game of cricket."
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The controversy first started over handshakes, which began after the group-stage India vs Pakistan game, with the former refusing to shake hands after the game was over. The latter responded by skipping the post-match conference, with head coach Mike Hesson also expressing his displeasure in the press conference.
"He did shake hands with me when we were doing the captains' press conference [before the start of the tournament]," Agha said of Suryakumar Yadav. "He shook my hands even during our meeting with the match referee. But he doesn't do it when he's in front of everyone. I am sure, if it were up to him, he'd have done it. He's just doing what he's been instructed, which is fine."
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