Suryakumar Yadav, Salman Agha separated by Rashid Khan; PAK captain ignores handshake, IND star greets Mohsin Naqvi

Team India skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha were not seated together at a joint press conference ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Suryakumar also shook hands with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the Asia Cup trophy unveiling, which quickly went viral on social media.

The Asia Cup will begin on September 9 with Afghanistan facing Hong Kong at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. Defending champions India will begin their campaign on September 10 against the UAE at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The teams will compete for the trophy ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha Separated by Rashid Khan at the Press Conference

At the Asia Cup 2025 captains’ press conference, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha were not seated together, with Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan placed between them. This arrangement aimed to keep the atmosphere composed ahead of their marquee clash.

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Captains of all participating teams, including Litton Das, attended the event. Debate continues over whether India should play Pakistan, given recent political tensions.

The Men in Blue will face Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 14. If both teams progress, they could meet up to three times, including a possible final. India and Pakistan are in the same group despite tensions.

pic.twitter.com/8dO3ihRAle

— The Game Changer (@TheGame_26) September 9, 2025

Indian Captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan Captain Salman Agha..(This video is for those saying that the Pakistan captain wasn't sitting next to the Indian players and they didn’t even shake hands)pic.twitter.com/76CSDcJIQW

— Sporttify (@sporttify) September 9, 2025

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Suryakumar Yadav-Mohsin Naqvi Handshake Goes Viral Ahead of Asia Cup

Before the media session, all team captains greeted Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and a Pakistani minister.

A photo of Suryakumar Yadav shaking hands with Naqvi quickly went viral. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Naqvi had referred to the incident as “a drama.”

“Pakistan’s economic stability is intolerable for India. The world must see how the country that claims to be the largest democracy is using terrorism to achieve its objectives,” Naqvi said as per Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune.

“Pakistan is ready to fully cooperate with any neutral party conducting a probe, as we seek to expose the real perpetrators behind the attack,” Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, he also told Geo News.

Asia Cup 2025 Scheduled in the UAE from September 9 to 28

The Asia Cup 2025 will take place in the UAE from September 9 to 28. A total of eight teams are divided into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman, while Group B has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

Twelve group-stage matches will determine the top two teams from each group, who will advance to the Super Four stage. Following six Super Four matches, the top two sides will meet in the final.

This edition will be played in the T20 format in preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The UAE is hosting the tournament for the fifth time, having previously hosted in 2018 and 2022.

India have won eight titles in the Asia Cup, including the 2023 ODI edition, where they defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets. The Men in Blue will be hoping to defend the title.

Also read: Virat Kohli ready to come out of Test retirement!! Dinesh Karthik drops bombshell