KARACHI – The Asia Cup turned into a heated spectacle as Pakistan and India clashed three times, with all three matches won by Suryakumar Yadav’s Indian side. But beyond the cricket, controversies dominated the tournament — from the captains’ “no handshake” moment to India’s refusal to accept the Asia Cup trophy.
In the opening match, Suryakumar dedicated his team’s victory to the Indian armed forces. After winning the final, he went a step further, announcing that he would donate his entire match fees from the tournament to the Indian military.
In response, Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha used his post-final press conference to make a pointed gesture, declaring that the Pakistani team would donate their match fees to the civilians and children affected by the May 7 Indian attack.
The political undertones were evident from the start. In a highly unusual moment, the toss interviews were conducted by national presenters — Waqar Younis questioned Salman Agha for Pakistan, while Ravi Shastri spoke with Suryakumar for India. Observers noted it as the first time such a symbolic division was seen at an international cricket toss.
What was expected to be a cricketing showdown has instead been overshadowed by political messaging and symbolic protests, raising questions about the future of Pakistan-India contests.
