🏆 Asia Cup 2025 Final Drama: Will Pakistan & India Captains Pose Together for Trophy Shoot?
🏏 A Final Unlike Any Other
The Asia Cup 2025 final between Pakistan and India is already historic—it's the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history that the arch-rivals will meet in the title clash. Fans across the globe have been eagerly waiting for the mega showdown at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
However, the buildup has been clouded by one big question:
👉 Will Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav stand together for the traditional pre-final trophy shoot?
Organizers confirmed that the customary event would not take place on Saturday, sparking massive debate on social media. The final call will only be taken hours before the toss on Sunday.
This unusual development comes on the back of multiple handshake controversies, complaints by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and repeated apologies by ICC match referee Andy Pycroft.
In this blog, we’ll break down:
✅ Why the trophy shoot tradition is in doubt
✅ The timeline of handshake controversies between India & Pakistan players
✅ PCB’s protests and ICC’s responses
✅ Cultural and cricketing significance of these pre-final rituals
✅ What this means for the final itself
✅ Fan reactions on social media
✅ Cricketory insights and predictions
📸 Trophy Shoot Tradition – Why It Matters
The pre-final trophy shoot is a symbolic ritual in major ICC and ACC tournaments. Captains pose together with the trophy as a gesture of unity, respect, and sportsmanship—setting the stage for the grand finale.
In past Asia Cups, even during tense India-Pakistan relations, captains always came together for the shoot. Skipping the ceremony this time sends a powerful message that goes beyond cricket.
Why fans care:
- It’s a visual that headlines newspapers and dominates broadcasts.
- It embodies the spirit of competition with respect.
- For billions of viewers, it is more than a photo—it’s hope for diplomacy through sport.
🚨 Timeline of the Handshake Controversies
1️⃣ Group Stage Clash – Toss & Post-Match Drama
- At the toss, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav did not extend a handshake to Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha.
- After India’s victory, Suryakumar and his teammates walked off immediately, avoiding the customary greeting.
- Pakistan’s players waited on the field, leading to awkward scenes.
- PCB manager Naveed Akram Cheema filed a formal protest against India’s conduct and criticized referee Andy Pycroft.
- Pycroft later apologized, calling it a “miscommunication.”
2️⃣ Super Fours Clash – Déjà vu
- On September 21, the issue repeated. Both teams again skipped handshakes before and after the game.
- Pycroft once again apologized to the Pakistan camp, saying the matter was “unfortunate and unintentional.”
3️⃣ Pre-Final Build-Up – Trophy Shoot Uncertainty
- Organizers shocked fans by announcing that the pre-final trophy shoot will not be held.
- They said the final call would only be taken on Sunday morning.
🏏 Pakistan’s Stand – Respect & Tradition
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha and the PCB have been vocal about maintaining cricketing traditions.
- PCB’s Protest: Pakistan formally complained twice about India’s conduct, demanding the ICC enforce sportsmanship protocols.
- Salman Ali Agha’s Role: Known for his calm leadership, Salman is expected to address the issue in his press conference at 7:00 PM PST.
- Training Ahead of Final: Pakistan held their last training session at the ICC Academy, fully focused despite off-field tensions.
Cricketory Insight 📝: PCB sees this not just as a handshake issue but as a matter of respect on the world stage. They want to ensure Pakistan is not portrayed as backing away from tradition.
🇮🇳 India’s Approach – Silence Speaks
The Indian camp, led by Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir, has remained tight-lipped. No official statement has been made about the missed handshakes or the trophy shoot.
Possible reasons for silence:
- Avoid adding fuel to the controversy.
- Focus on cricket and maintaining psychological edge.
- Internal strategy to downplay traditions and emphasize winning.
Cricketory Insight 📝: By avoiding handshakes and ceremonies, India may be sending a message of mental dominance—a classic psychological tactic in high-pressure rivalries.
🌍 Cultural & Cricketing Significance of Rituals
In South Asian cricket, traditions like handshakes, trophy shoots, and post-match greetings go beyond courtesy.
- They symbolize respect despite rivalries.
- Fans see them as cultural diplomacy between two nations with a complicated history.
- Breaking these traditions creates narratives of hostility instead of healthy rivalry.
Cricketory’s take: Skipping the trophy shoot is more than a logistical decision—it reflects the fragile relationship in South Asian cricket diplomacy.
🔥 Social Media Reactions
Pakistani Fans 🇵🇰
- “India should respect the game’s traditions.”
- “Salman Ali Agha is showing dignity, Suryakumar is playing politics.”
- “No trophy shoot means no spirit of cricket.”
Indian Fans 🇮🇳
- “It’s just a photo, focus on the cricket.”
- “Suryakumar is keeping his players focused.”
- “Pakistan making a big deal out of nothing.”
🌍 Neutral Fans
- “Sportsmanship matters as much as skill.”
- “ACC & ICC must ensure fairness.”
- “Fans deserve to see captains together before the final.”
🏟️ What It Means for the Final
- Added Drama: The absence of a trophy shoot builds even more hype.
- Player Motivation: Pakistan may use this as motivation to prove themselves on the field.
- Pressure on ICC: Match referee Pycroft and officials are under scrutiny to handle things better.
- Fan Expectations: Regardless of ceremonies, the cricket itself must live up to the hype.
📊 Stats & Records – India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup
- Head-to-Head in Asia Cup: India leads overall, but Pakistan has pulled off crucial wins in past editions.
- Finals History: This is the first-ever India vs Pakistan final in Asia Cup history.
- India’s Record: 8 Asia Cup titles.
- Pakistan’s Record: 2 Asia Cup titles.
📝 Cricketory Analysis: Key Talking Points
1. Trophy Shoot Debate
- Skipping it highlights the fragile sportsmanship between the teams.
- Could impact how fans perceive the spirit of this final.
2. Salman Ali Agha’s Leadership
- Calm and composed, his press conference will be crucial in shaping Pakistan’s stance.
3. India’s Mental Tactics
- Gambhir & Suryakumar are focusing on psychological edge rather than traditions.
4. ICC’s Role Under Scrutiny
- Andy Pycroft’s repeated apologies show weak enforcement of protocols.
- ICC must step in strongly before the final to restore balance.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Why is the Asia Cup 2025 pre-final trophy shoot in doubt?
A: Organizers confirmed it won’t happen Saturday; final decision on Sunday due to ongoing handshake controversies.Q2: What was the controversy between India and Pakistan captains?
A: Suryakumar Yadav skipped handshakes with Salman Ali Agha twice, leading to PCB protests.Q3: Did ICC respond to PCB’s complaints?
A: Yes, referee Andy Pycroft apologized twice, calling it a “miscommunication.”Q4: Will this controversy impact the final?
A: It adds tension and drama, but both teams remain focused on winning.Q5: When is the Asia Cup 2025 final between India and Pakistan?
A: Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.🏆 Final Thoughts – Beyond Trophies, It’s About Spirit
The Asia Cup 2025 final is not just another cricket match—it’s a cultural event watched by billions. The uncertainty over the trophy shoot and the handshake saga reflects the emotional intensity of India vs Pakistan clashes.
Whether or not captains Salman Ali Agha and Suryakumar Yadav pose together with the trophy, the world will tune in for the cricket. For players, the best reply to off-field controversies is performance on the field.
Cricketory’s Take 📝: Rituals may be broken, traditions may be skipped, but the spirit of cricket will ultimately be defined by what happens under the Dubai lights on Sunday night.