Follow UsThe ‘Handshake Gate’ in the ongoing Asia Cup doesn’t seem to end as Pakistan skipper Salman Agha was made to mention and talk about it once again, this time in the pre-final press conference.
“I started playing U16 cricket in 2007. I never saw any teams not shaking hands. Even when Indo-Pak relations were worse we still shook hands. So, in my opinion, no handshakes in cricket aren’t good in the game,” Agha said.
The tempers of players in the two India-Pakistan games in this competition have already been high, as a result of such on-field skirmishes and gestures. However, the Pakistan skipper maintained that he has given his players full freedom to show as much aggression as they want against India in the final. Although he did point out that every player knows how to handle their emotions and things won’t go out of hand.
“Every individual has their own ways; if someone wants to be aggressive on the ground, then why not? If you take the aggression from a fast bowler, then what’s left?” he said.
“Every player knows how to deal with their emotions. As a captain, I give a free hand to any player to react the way they want on the ground unless they disrespect or do something that would bring embarrassment to our people. Until someone does that, there is no problem from me,” he added.
The final will be played in Dubai on September 28.