IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2025: A tense and controversial end to the Asia Cup 2025 Group A match in Dubai saw the Indian cricket team defeat Pakistan by seven wickets, but their win was overshadowed by an unprecedented refusal to engage in the traditional post-match handshake.
Following the win, led by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian players walked directly off the field, bypassing their Pakistani counterparts and returning to the dressing room. This break from cricketing tradition has sparked a major controversy, given the already strained relationship between the two nations.
The match began with a similar gesture of defiance. At the toss, captains Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha did not shake hands or even make eye contact, a stark departure from the usual sporting courtesy.
The Indian team's decision to not engage in the traditional pre- and post-match pleasantries was a collective one, reportedly influenced by an important member of the support staff and endorsed by the BCCI. The move reflects the ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in April and the subsequent military actions.
In a post-match press conference, Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that the team’s actions were a deliberate statement. He dedicated the victory to the armed forces and expressed solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack. “We stand with the families of victims of the Pahalgam attack. We express our solidarity and we want to dedicate today’s win to the Armed Forces,” he stated, linking the win directly to the national sentiment.
The Indian skipper further explained the decision, saying, “We took a team call. We had come only to play. We had given them a reply. Some things are beyond sportsmanship.” This comment underscores the team's view that their actions were a form of protest and not just a breach of cricketing etiquette. With his statement, Suryakumar made it clear that the team's stance was a reflection of the broader political climate.
Pakistan's head coach, Mike Hesson, openly expressed his disappointment, calling the Indian team's actions "unsporting." He stated, "We wanted to shake hands but disappointed that the opposition didn't do that. Disappointed with the way we played, but we wanted to shake hands." In a direct protest against the incident, Pakistan's captain, Salman Ali Agha, boycotted the post-match presentation ceremony, with Hesson confirming it was a "cause and effect after what happened."
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has formally lodged a protest with the Asian Cricket Council, condemning the Indian players' behavior as being against the "spirit of the game." The PCB also noted that the match referee had reportedly asked their captain not to shake hands at the toss, adding another layer of complexity to the incident. With the two teams set to face each other again next Sunday, the tension is expected to carry over, making the next encounter even more highly charged.
