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Handshake spat bad for cricket, says Pakistan captain ahead of India final | The Express Tribune
Political tension and on-field friction have stalked the teams at the regional tournament following a deadly military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May.
India angered Pakistan by not shaking hands in either of the first two meetings between the teams in the UAE. Unbeaten India won comfortably in the group stage and did so again in the Super Four round.
The tension increased when players exchanged words during last Sunday’s clash, with India filing an official complaint over gestures made by Pakistan duo Haris Rauf and Sahibzada Farhan.
Agha said the lack of handshakes had left him perplexed.
Read More: Pakistan, India set for first Asia Cup final encounter
“I have been playing competitive cricket since 2007 and have never seen a game go without a handshake,” Agha said on Saturday, speaking for the first time on the controversy.
“It is not good for cricket. Even in worst times between Pakistan and India, players have shaken hands. My father is a great fan of cricket, and he never told me that such a thing happened.”
Agha said players must be careful not to cross the line when it comes to discipline.
“I think every individual has his own style. If someone wants to be aggressive on the ground, then why not. If you control the aggression of a fast bowler, then nothing is left.
“Every player knows how to deal with his emotions. I give free hand to my players to react on the ground unless he is disrespecting other players and the country.”
The Pakistan skipper said his team will follow the protocols for a captains’ photo shoot with the trophy on Sunday, which India is likely to boycott.
“They do what they want to do,” said Agha. “We will do what is in our protocol. Rest is up to them, if they want to come for that it’s up to them. If they do not want to come, don’t come.”
India have won all six of their matches at the tournament and are heavy favourites going into the final. They have not lost to Pakistan in seven white-ball matches dating back to 2022.
“It’s a final so there will be the same amount of pressure on both the teams,” said Agha. “I think the pressure of the final is different. We will try our best to win this.”
There aren’t many spots up for grabs, but the competition is fierce for the roles that are available. The Capitals’ third preseason game is Sunday at New Jersey.
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There is a new chapter in the Cam Newton-Tua Tagovailoa saga.
Tagovailoa responded to Newton’s earlier criticism, saying that “Well, anybody can play quarterback in this league then,” while dismissing football pundits in a press conference Thursday. Newton clapped back Friday.
“Anybody can go 0-3,” Newton said during ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday.
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(Left) Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) walks off the field following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Dec. 19, 2021. (Right) Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to pass in the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Sept. 18, 2025. (IMAGN)
“When I see the situation that’s taken place in Miami, it’s more ‘Love Island’ drama than football,” Newton said, “And in large part, I wouldn’t say it’s all on Tua, but it is a main ingredient, and I just know what he’s capable of.”
Newton cited how much Tagovailoa makes to highlight his past success.
“There (were) times we’ve seen Tua Tagovailoa, and it was at a high level. You don’t make $53 million … by just being a random on the street,” Newton said.
Newton encouraged Tagovailoa to trust his wide receivers.
“Let it rip,” Newton said. “When you have Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill and Mike McDaniel as your coach, you have all the assets and amenities. You have once shown that you’re capable. I don’t know what this is in Miami now.”
Newton’s comments on ESPN’s “First Take” were in response to Tagovailoa mentioning him by name during a press conference Thursday.
DOLPHINS’ TUA TAGOVAILOA ISSUES SHARP RESPONSE TO CAM NEWTON’S SCATHING ASSESSMENT
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to pass against the Buffalo Bills in the first half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Sept. 18, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
“Well, anybody can play quarterback in this league then. I want to see anybody on the streets come and play quarterback,” Tagovailoa said. “Cam is doing his thing for sure, but I think it’s easier to be able to hold a clicker and talk about it that way or talk about what someone else is doing wrong when you’re not going out and having to do the same as them.
“I think it’s easy to do that. I think anybody can do that. I don’t think anybody can play quarterback.”
Tagovailoa acknowledged that he has not played as well as he would like during the Dolphins’ 0-3 start. Tagovailoa has completed 69.7% of his passes for 575 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions.
Tagovailoa’s struggles are what prompted Newton to call him out in relation to the Dolphins quarterback’s four-year, $212 million contract.
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) passes against Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) in the second quarter at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Sept. 18, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)
“Tagovailoa is making more than Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Baker Mayfield, Matthew Stafford, Jayden Daniels,” Newton said on a prior episode of “First Take.” “Am I pocket-watching? No, I’m putting things into perspective here.
“In this case, it should be more money, more expectations. … What you’re being paid, what you’re asked to do, what you have the capability of — from one quarterback to the other, I look at the situation like come on, dawg. Especially when you’ve got a Ferrari and a Lamborghini and other amenities that other quarterbacks wish they had.”
The Dolphins (0-3) take on the New York Jets (0-3) on Monday night.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to challenge the verdict against fast bowler Haris Rauf for his gesture during their T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours match against India, a senior PCB official told Geo News on Saturday.
The right-arm seamer was fined 30% of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee.
While the board and team management were still waiting for an official announcement, it was confirmed that Rauf had been found guilty and penalised, the PCB official said.
“That’s correct,” the official said when asked about reports regarding the sanction. He added that the PCB will appeal the decision declaring Rauf guilty of breaching the code of conduct.
It remains unclear whether Rauf was fined for making a “6-0” gesture toward the crowd during the match or for showing aggression toward Indian players.
The PCB maintains that neither action constitutes a violation.
Rauf pleaded not guilty during the hearing, conducted by ICC match referee Richie Richardson.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has decided to personally cover the fine on Rauf’s behalf if the sanction is upheld even after the appeal, another PCB official said.
Separately, the PCB lodged a complaint against India captain Suryakumar Yadav for making political remarks during post-match interviews and a press conference.
The ICC sided with the PCB on the issue, finding Yadav guilty of breaching the code of conduct and fining him 30% of his match fee.
The ICC has yet to make an official statement on either case, a delay that has drawn sharp criticism from PCB chairman Naqvi.
“How much more time do you need to explain the reasons behind your balancing act?” Naqvi wrote on social media.
The development comes just a day before Pakistan and India are set to face off in the high-stakes final of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, slated for tomorrow (Sunday).
The Green Shirts set up a final against India after edging past Bangladesh by 11 runs in a Super Fours encounter on September 25.
The upcoming game marks the first time in the tournament’s history that the arch-rivals will face off in the final.
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