Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has firmly dismissed a fake quote that went viral during the heated India-Pakistan clash at the Asia Cup 2025. The controversy began on September 14, when India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, chose not to shake hands with Pakistan players before and after their seven-wicket win in Dubai. The incident quickly escalated, drawing divided opinions from fans and experts alike.
Amid the tension, a fabricated quote attributed to Ponting surfaced on social media, claiming he had criticised India while praising Pakistan’s conduct. The viral post suggested Ponting had called India “sore losers” and hailed Pakistan as “true champions of the gentleman’s game.”
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However, Ponting wasted no time in setting the record straight. The former World Cup-winning skipper clarified on X (formerly Twitter) that the circulating remarks were entirely false. “I am aware of certain comments being attributed to me on social media. Please know that I categorically did not make those statements and indeed have made no public comment about the Asia Cup at all,” he wrote.
Told you. https://t.co/8ibgskDgok pic.twitter.com/ITLggu0r4e
— BRADDY (@braddy_Codie05) September 16, 2025
The handshake saga has also fuelled friction between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). The PCB alleged that match referee Andy Pycroft intervened at the toss to prevent a handshake between Suryakumar Yadav and Babar Azam. In protest, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi officially wrote to the ICC demanding Pycroft’s removal from the tournament. But after an internal review, the ICC rejected the request and backed the referee’s conduct.
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Adding to the turmoil, the PCB suspended its Director of International Cricket Operations, Usman Wahla, accusing him of negligence over the issue. Pakistani media reported that Naqvi took the disciplinary step after the controversy overshadowed one of the Asia Cup’s most anticipated matches.
While the off-field drama continues, Ponting’s clarification has reminded fans of the dangers of misinformation in the digital age, especially during high-voltage tournaments like the Asia Cup.
