For the first time in international cricket, two former players conducted separate interviews with the captains during the toss. This unique moment took place at the Asia Cup 2025 final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday evening.

Ravi Shastri spoke with India captain Suryakumar Yadav, while Pakistan skipper Salman Agha was interviewed by pace legend Waqar Younis. This arrangement was made following disagreements between the two cricket boards.

Dispute Over Toss Presenter

According to a PTI report, Shastri was officially selected by the tournament broadcaster to interview both captains at the toss.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) objected to this decision and requested the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to appoint a neutral presenter. The ACC then approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with the proposal.

The BCCI rejected the request, making it clear that “Shastri won’t be replaced.” As a compromise, it was decided that Salman would speak to Waqar Younis, while Suryakumar would interact with Ravi Shastri.

Trophy Photo Shoot Done Alone

In another unusual move, Salman Agha posed alone for the trophy photo shoot instead of standing alongside Suryakumar.

Sources within the BCCI revealed that the ACC had never informed them about any planned joint photo session. They also pointed out that during the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados, there was no trophy shoot involving India’s Rohit Sharma and South Africa’s Aiden Markram either.

Growing Tensions Between Teams

The tensions between India and Pakistan have been rising since their first clash in the tournament. During that game, Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with Salman Agha at the toss.

The friction continued after the match when the Indian players avoided the traditional post-match handshake with the Pakistani team.

PCB’s Complaint to ICC

The controversy escalated further when the PCB lodged a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft with the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to reports, the PCB even threatened to boycott the tournament if Pycroft, a Zimbabwean official, continued overseeing their matches for the rest of the event.

A Final Marked by Off-Field Drama

While the Asia Cup final promised high-quality cricket on the field, the pre-match proceedings reflected the ongoing tension between the two cricket boards.

The separate interviews, lone trophy photo shoot, and post-match handshake snub all highlighted how relations between India and Pakistan remain strained despite the significance of the tournament.