'Personal choice to shake hands or hug': Kapil Dev advices Pakistan to 'focus on cricket’

Kapil Dev advices Pakistan to 'focus on cricket’ (BCCI Photo)

India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev blasted at the Pakistan squad and board for igniting controversy in the Asia Cup 2025, emphasising that they should concentrate on the match and competition rather than making "wrong statements". The Indian legend's reaction comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Asia Cup 2025, which erupted following the no-handshake incident between India and Pakistan in Group A fixture in Dubai last Sunday.

As per Kapil, handshakes are only conventional in cricket and are not governed by law, therefore the Indian team had complete discretion over whether or not to extend the gesture. The former skipper also warned Pakistan of a dispute after becoming enraged about the commotion surrounding the handshake and match referee Andy Pycroft since Sunday.

"These are all small things. One should focus on playing cricket. If someone does not want to shake hands, there is no need to make a big issue out of it for both sides. It is not right to give wrong statements, but some cricketers give statements that become controversial...Pakistan did not play good cricket; they need to work on it. It is one's personal choice whether they want to shake hands or hug," he told ANI.

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Kapil supported the Indian squad to successfully defend the Asia Cup title. The team captained by Suryakumar Yadav has already advanced to the tournament's Super Four stage. They will play Oman in their last Group A game on Friday.

"The Indian team has been playing very well for the past 20 years. The team performs exceptionally well in ICC tournaments. Our cricket is very organised...I am hopeful that Team India will win the Asia Cup 2025," he said.

India's campaign at the Asia Cup got off to a strong start after defeating UAE and Pakistan in the group round matches. Batting second in both matches, the team won convincingly, defeating UAE by nine wickets and Pakistan by seven wickets.