DUBAI: India’s seven-wicket victory against Pakistan in the Asia Cup at Dubai on Sunday was overshadowed by controversy surrounding the lack of customary handshakes before and after the match. The decision by the Indian team not to engage in this gesture of goodwill drew strong reactions from the Pakistan camp, highlighting tensions both on and off the field. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav stated that the decision was made in coordination with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government to show solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistan players expressed their disappointment, noting that they had waited after the game to greet their opponents, only to realize India would not reciprocate. Head coach Mike Hesson admitted that the team was upset, while captain Salman Agha declined to participate in the post-match television interaction, which is typically a standard media procedure. The incident drew immediate attention from fans and media alike, with social media discussions reflecting mixed reactions to the decision.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that team manager Naveed Akram Cheema filed a formal protest against match referee Andy Pycroft, alleging that the referee instructed both captains not to shake hands even during the toss. The PCB labeled India’s actions as “against sportsmanship” and awaited Pycroft’s formal response to the complaint. This exchange underscored the sensitive nature of sporting interactions between the two nations, particularly given the political context and heightened tensions after April’s Pahalgam terror attack.
Sunday’s match marked the first cricket encounter between India and Pakistan since cross-border tensions escalated, and questions had arisen about whether the match would proceed. The Indian government’s policy allowed sporting encounters only in multilateral tournaments, with no bilateral ties maintained. Against this backdrop, India’s refusal to partake in customary gestures carried strong political undertones. Suryakumar Yadav emphasized that the team’s priority was to play the game while standing in solidarity with the victims and their families, acknowledging that certain values may sometimes take precedence over conventional sportsmanship.
