Sun Dec 14 06:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewrite as a news article:

Summary:

The Indian Under-19 cricket team continued the senior team’s practice of not shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the Asia Cup match. Captain Ayush Mhatre did not shake hands with Pakistani captain Farhan Yousuf at the toss, despite the ICC reportedly wanting the gesture of sportsmanship at the U-19 level. This follows the senior team’s decision to abstain from handshakes in previous Asia Cup matches, a decision reportedly linked to tensions stemming from a terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent Operation Sindoor. While the ICC prefers politics be kept out of junior cricket, the BCCI seemingly instructed the team manager to continue the policy, informing the ICC beforehand.

News Article:

India U-19s Maintain No-Handshake Policy with Pakistan in Asia Cup Clash

Dubai, UAE – The Indian Under-19 cricket team has followed the lead of their senior counterparts, refraining from shaking hands with the Pakistani team during their Asia Cup match on Sunday. This decision echoes a similar policy implemented by the senior Indian team at the Asia Cup held in September, where they did not shake hands with Pakistani players.

Under-19 captain Ayush Mhatre did not shake hands with Pakistan’s captain, Farhan Yousuf, at the toss. This move comes despite reports that the International Cricket Council (ICC) had hoped to see a gesture of sportsmanship between the two teams at the Under-19 level.

The decision by the senior team to abstain from handshakes earlier in the year was reportedly influenced by heightened tensions between the two nations, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent launch of “Operation Sindoor” by the Indian government.

Sources say that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appears to have instructed the team manager to continue the no-handshake policy. The BCCI has reportedly informed the ICC of their intent to maintain this stance, even at the junior level. “We know the ICC would prefer to keep politics out of junior cricket,” a BCCI official stated, “but this is a matter of public sentiment.”

Meanwhile, in the match itself, India were expecting a strong batting performance from Vaibhav Suryavanshi, but he fell for just 5 runs. The match is ongoing.

Read More