Dubai – The already tense atmosphere following the Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan was further inflamed after former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf (formerly Yousuf Yohana) used abusive and derogatory language against Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav on live television.
During a discussion on Pakistan’s Samaa TV, Yousuf repeatedly distorted Suryakumar’s name, calling him a “pig” in a direct translation of the Hindi word “Suar.” Despite an anchor attempting to correct him and reminding him of Suryakumar’s actual name, Yousuf continued to use the slur, prompting a wry smile from a fellow panelist.
Yousuf’s outburst extended to accusations of foul play, as he alleged that India had “bought out the on-field umpires” and was “using the match referee to ‘torture’ the Pakistan side.” He claimed, “They have probably given the umpire’s finger to (Indian Prime Minister, Narendra) Modi; it just wouldn’t get up whenever we appealed.”
This incident is the latest development in a series of controversies stemming from the match, which India won by seven wickets. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially complained to the ICC, accusing match referee Andy Pycroft of violating the Code of Conduct. The PCB claims Pycroft instructed both Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha not to shake hands at the toss, a demand the ICC has reportedly rejected.
The on-field handshake controversy was initiated by Suryakumar Yadav himself, who, along with his team, did not shake hands with the Pakistani players after the match. In the post-match presentation, Suryakumar dedicated the win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian armed forces, stating that some things were “beyond sportsmanship.”