‘Fights keep happening’: Akhtar cries foul as India refuse handshakes with Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar said that countries would keep fighting but India could have shown grace b shaking hands with Pakistan after IND vs PAK

Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar seemingly justified the Pahalgam terror attack after he condemned the Indian team for not shaking hands with Pakistan. Following the IND vs PAK tie at Asia Cup, the Men in Blue deviated from the usual convention and decided to walk off the field with exchanging pleasantries with Salman Agha and co. India handed Pakistan a 7-wicket thrashing on Sunday to continue their winning run in the tournament.

Akhtar’s take on handshake row in IND vs PAK

In a discussion on Pakistan’s local channel, Akhtar claimed that India should have shown some grace and shook hands with the Pakistan players after the game. Seemingly justifying Pakistan’s actions in the Pahalgam terror attack, the ex-pacer stated that even though fights keep happening between countries and the situation is tense, it shouldn’t have been taken to the next level by Suryakumar Yadav and co. He further claimed that Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was right to skip the press conference after his team were denied handshakes.

“Don’t make it political. It is a cricket match. Do the handshakes (with the Pakistan team). It’s a game of cricket, show your grace. It’s okay, fights keep happening, things get heated up. But it doesn’t mean you take it to the next level and not shake hands,” Akhtar claimed.

Indians make stand clear

At the post-match press conference, Surya made it clear that it was a decision taken keeping in mind the sentiments of the nation, following the Pahalgam attack. “Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack. We express our solidarity. Want to dedicate the win to all our armed forces who showed a lot of bravery. Hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to put a smile on their face,” he said.