Controversy Erupts After Asia Cup Clash
The Asia Cup 2025 fixture between India and Pakistan, usually one of the most anticipated encounters in world cricket, has once again made headlines—this time for reasons off the pitch. Following India’s decision to avoid handshakes with Pakistani players, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially lodged a protest, calling the gesture “unsportsmanlike” and “against the spirit of sportsmanship.”
PCB Breaks Silence, Calls Behaviour Unacceptable
In a formal statement released on Monday, the PCB confirmed that the team management had lodged an official complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). The board expressed disappointment, alleging that Team India’s refusal to engage in customary post-match gestures of goodwill had sent a negative signal to cricket fans worldwide.
“The match referee Andy Pycroft had asked captain Salman Ali Agha, at the time of the toss, not to shake hands with his Indian counterpart. The Pakistan team management has lodged a protest, calling the behaviour against the spirit of sports,” the PCB statement read.
Tribute to Pahalgam Attack Victims
The Indian team, on the other hand, has clarified its stance. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav explained that the no-handshake gesture was not intended to insult Pakistan but was a symbolic tribute. The players chose to dedicate their actions to the memory of soldiers who lost their lives in Operation Sindoor and civilians killed in the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack.
“We wanted to honour our heroes and stand in solidarity with their families. This was the least we could do,” Suryakumar stated after the game.
Toss Drama: Salman Denied Handshake
The controversy reportedly began even before the match started. At the toss, Salman Ali Agha extended his hand towards Suryakumar Yadav, but the gesture was left hanging. According to PCB, match referee Andy Pycroft had already advised Salman not to approach the Indian players for handshakes, relaying India’s pre-informed decision.
This incident set the tone for the rest of the match. Despite Pakistan’s attempts to initiate camaraderie, including approaching the Indian dressing room after the game, the Indian team remained firm in avoiding direct interaction. The doors of the Indian dressing room were reportedly shut, leaving Pakistani players disheartened.
Post-Match Fallout
Following India’s victory in the high-voltage clash, the Indian players returned straight to their dressing room, bypassing the traditional handshakes. Salman Ali Agha, visibly upset, skipped the post-match presentation ceremony altogether. According to the PCB, this decision was a deliberate form of protest, as the presentation host was also Indian.
“This is not how cricket should be conducted at the highest level. Sports should rise above politics,” a PCB official told reporters after the incident.
Global Reactions and Mixed Opinions
The episode has sparked wide debate in the cricketing fraternity and among fans globally. While many Indian supporters backed the team’s gesture, calling it a powerful tribute to the fallen, critics argue that the move has politicised cricket and undermined sportsmanship.
Former cricketers from both nations have shared contrasting opinions. Some hailed the Indian players for showing solidarity with national sentiments, while others questioned whether avoiding handshakes was the most respectful way to convey tribute.
What Lies Ahead
With PCB’s formal protest now submitted, the ball lies in the court of the ACC and ICC to review the incident. The governing bodies may seek clarifications from both teams before arriving at a conclusion.
For now, the no-handshake row has overshadowed what was otherwise an electrifying cricket contest. The episode also highlights the growing intersection of sports and geopolitics, particularly in India-Pakistan relations, where every gesture carries deep symbolic weight.
As the Asia Cup progresses, it remains to be seen whether this controversy will simmer down or continue to dominate discussions both on and off the field.
