Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has publicly denied a viral quote attributed him in the aftermath of the handshake controversy at the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 match.
India v Pakistan: What happened after the Asia Cup match?
India and Pakistan faced each other at the Asia Cup following months of speculation and debate, amidst worsening political ties between the two countries. Following their army standoff in May, which occurred in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in April, there doubts if the two teams would still play.
The match went ahead, but Indian players refused to shake hands after. Pakistan then pulled out of the post-match presentation.
The situation worsened as the Pakistan Cricket Board lodged a formal protest, even asking for the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, for asking the players not to shake hands at the toss too.
India v Pakistan, handshake controversy: All that has happened
Where does Ricky Ponting come into the picture?
Ponting became the unfortunate victim of a fake quote, which did the rounds after the handshake controversy. The post, bearing a picture of Ponting, read: "This match will be remembered forever with India as the big loser. The way the Pakistani team wanted to shake hands at the end immortalised them as champions of the gentleman's game with India as the perpetual sore loser".
A version of the post mentioned the quotes being said on Sky Sports. Consequently, Ponting was targeted on social media without the veracity of the post being checked.
In the early hours of Tuesday, Ponting's manager James Henderson clarified to the Australian media that the comments were fake. Later, Ponting himself denied it categorically through a social media post.
He wrote: "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 as all".
Ponting is an addition to a growing list of cricketers who've been at the receiving end of fake quotes on social media. Earlier this year, Test skipper Pat Cummins had to publicly refute a fake quote attributed to him.
Last year, Ponting's long-time teammate Adam Gilchrist was in the eye of the storm, while Simon Doull, Ambati Rayuduand Nasser Hussain have all faced the same in recent times.
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