Sun Sep 14 23:29:48 UTC 2025: **India Sparks Controversy by Skipping Handshake with Pakistan After Asia Cup Victory**
**Dubai, UAE** – A highly anticipated cricket match between India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025 ended in controversy Sunday as the Indian team, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, declined to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts following their seven-wicket victory. The move, according to Yadav, was a “perfect reply” to Pakistan in light of the recent cross-border conflict between the two nations in May.
Tensions have been high between India and Pakistan since a deadly terror attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, which India blamed on Pakistani involvement, leading to retaliatory missile strikes. While a ceasefire was eventually brokered, diplomatic ties remain strained.
Yadav stated that the decision to forgo the customary handshake was a mark of protest and a show of solidarity with the victims of the Kashmir attack and the Indian armed forces. “A few things in life are above sportsman’s spirit,” he asserted.
The Pakistani team, visibly waiting for the handshake, was left standing as the Indian squad retreated to their dressing room. Pakistan’s manager lodged a protest with the match referee, Andy Pycroft, who reportedly apologized for the awkward situation. A Pakistan Cricket Board official revealed that Pycroft had granted India permission to skip the handshake but did not inform the Pakistani team. Captain Agha refused to do the post-match interview as a protest.
The incident has drawn criticism, with Asian Cricket Council Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressing his disappointment, saying, “Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports.”
The two teams are slated to potentially meet again in the Super Four stage of the tournament, leaving many to wonder if this controversy will further fuel tensions between the cricketing rivals.
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