The long-standing handshake controversy between India and Pakistan resurfaced on Wednesday, as former Pakistan cricketers Ramiz Raja and Aamer Sohail voiced strong criticism over post-match gestures following Pakistan’s impressive victory against South Africa in the opening Test in Lahore.
Pakistan shocked the World Test Championship title-holders with a 93-run victory, breaking South Africa’s impressive 10-match unbeaten streak. But the focus soon moved from the on-field action to post-match ceremonies, and more importantly, the handshakes or their absence in recent India-Pakistan matches.
It traced its roots to the Asia Cup 2025, when Indian players sensationally snubbed their Pakistani counterparts by not shaking hands with them after all three matches between the two sides. The matter went deeper when India’s players turned down Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s Interior Minister and PCB Chairman, from handing them the winners’ trophy. The act incurred general outrage and became a symbol of the off-field tensions between the two countries.
But there was a refreshing contrast to this week in another sport hockey. In the Sultan of Johor Cup, participants from India and Pakistan exchanged a handshake and a high-five after the game, a show of sportsmanship that cricketing elements are now being measured by.
Although cricketing success at home, the post-match handshakes of Pakistan’s victory over South Africa were lambasted by Ramiz and Sohail, who saw the optics and mood of more recent events as having created an undesired precedent.
“Good to see both teams shaking hands. It’s getting out of fashion these days,” said Aamer Sohail on-air.
“Good to see both teams shaking hands, it’s getting out of fashion these days” says Aamir Sohail.
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) October 15, 2025
“It’s getting out of hands!” replies Ramiz Raja.
Well played lads 🤝 #PAKvSA
Ramiz Raja quickly replied and said: “It’s getting out of hand.”
“It’s a great tradition. And well, cricket is about tradition, being gentlemanly, about being fair. It’s important for South Africa to be sane.”
Their comments immediately gained criticism and the netizens brutally slammed the duo for igniting handshake row.
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On the field, the win was fueled by a match-winning performance from Noman Ali, who picked 10 wickets in the match 6 in the first innings and 4 in the second. The left-arm spinner maintains his heroic form at home, contributing to his burgeoning reputation. Shaheen Afridi played a supporting role with a reverse-swing masterclass himself, taking 4 for 33 in the second innings as South Africa fell for 183 while in pursuit of 277.
