Pakistan apparently refused to send Salman Ali Agha to the presentation because the India’s players refused the post-match handshakes. That’s the narrative being peddled at the moment. Ask people in the know, and you will realise this was not the case. Rather, what was conveyed was something fundamentally different. The message sent was that Pakistan wouldn’t attend the presentation because it was being conducted by Sanjay Manjrekar, an Indian. Apparently they weren’t comfortable with that, and hence decided not to attend. However, Shaheen Shah Afridi did come and collect his award, which yet again spoke of double standards. And then, at the post-match press conference, this handshake theory was floated.
The truth is Pakistan are sore losers. They can’t digest the fact that they got smacked. Now they need something to divert attention, to change the narrative and keep crying. That’s what this handshake theory is all about. Sport has forever allowed strong and peaceful statements of protest, and India outsmarted Pakistan at every step. By complaining, all Pakistan are doing is portraying themselves as cry-babies.
In 2004, when Virender Sehwag was on his way to a triple-century against Pakistan in Multan, Shoaib Akhtar constantly urged him to take on the bouncer. Finally, Sehwag called Shoaib and said, “Ball dal raha hai ki bheek maang raha hai [Are you bowling or begging]?” This is well-documented in the annals of cricket and has been repeated multiple times by players. The fact is Pakistan are continuing to do the same.
If the Indian players don’t wish to shake hands and want to just move on, it is their prerogative. What’s the point of begging them to shake hands and behaving like overgrown babies? And this after you did not attend the presentation, saying it was being conducted by an Indian?
Just a simple suggestion. Forget all this, and try and up your game. Another match is slotted for next Sunday and further humiliation will come Pakistan’s way if they don’t improve radically. And yes, India will not shake hands then either, for it is their choice.
Also Read: India vs Pakistan: Much ado about a no-match
