NEW DELHI: The Asia Cup continues to be overshadowed by the handshake controversy that erupted after India’s win over Pakistan on September 14, when Indian players walked off without the customary post-match greetings. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The fallout, already sparking heated debates and even a delay in Pakistan’s clash against the UAE on Wednesday, took another twist on Thursday after former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir weighed in with a pointed social media post.Amir shared a picture of himself alongside Indian batting legend Virat Kohli and wrote: “One thing is for sure, Virat is the best player and human being in Indian cricket history. Respect.”
The remark, while appearing complimentary to Kohli, was widely read as a subtle dig at the current Indian squad embroiled in the handshake saga.The post quickly went viral, igniting fresh conversations among fans on both sides of the border. The controversy has already spilled onto the tournament’s scheduling. Wednesday’s Pakistan–UAE game began an hour late, as the PCB threatened to pull out and demanded the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, who officiated the India clash. Talks with the ICC eventually calmed tensions, and Pakistan went on to defeat the UAE by 41 runs, setting up a rematch with India in the Super Four.Meanwhile, pacer Haris Rauf promised that Pakistan would deliver a stronger performance against their arch-rivals, saying: “Fans have expectations, and we will try to live up to them.”But for now, it is Amir’s viral post that has added yet another dramatic layer to an already charged Asia Cup.
