Handshake Snub Sparks Controversy As Pakistan File Complaint Against India

Pakistan File Complaint With Asian Cricket Council Over India’s Post-Match Handshake Snub At Asia Cup 2025

The Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan in Dubai on September 14 was meant to be a cricketing spectacle, but it has turned into a controversy that has sparked heated debates beyond the boundary lines. After India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets, the spotlight shifted from the players’ performance to what happened—or rather, what didn’t happen—at the end of the game. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially lodged a complaint with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), claiming that the Indian team’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players was unsporting and against the spirit of the game.

The incident occurred moments after Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav hit the winning runs. Instead of walking towards their opponents for the customary handshake, Suryakumar and teammate Shivam Dube turned back and walked straight off the field. This act was perceived as a deliberate snub by the Pakistan side, which left their players visibly upset. The PCB immediately expressed its displeasure, releasing a statement late Sunday night that condemned India’s actions and accused them of showing disrespect to the traditions of the game.

According to the PCB, team manager Naveed Cheema formally protested to the ACC, stressing that India’s actions undermined sportsmanship. The statement labeled the snub as unsporting behavior that should not be overlooked, especially in a high-profile tournament where the world’s eyes are on cricket’s fiercest rivalry. The complaint also emphasized that maintaining respect between players, regardless of the match outcome, is essential to the integrity of the sport.

India, however, had its own explanation for the decision. At the post-match press conference, captain Suryakumar Yadav clarified that the team had collectively chosen not to shake hands with the Pakistani players. He explained that the move was a symbolic gesture to honor the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that took place earlier in April. According to Suryakumar, this was not an act of disrespect towards Pakistan’s cricket team, but a way of showing solidarity with the Indian armed forces who later carried out “Operation Sindoor” to dismantle terror infrastructure across the border.

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Suryakumar’s remarks added a new dimension to the controversy, highlighting how the tension between the two countries extends beyond cricket. “Some things are beyond sportsmanship. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces who participated in ‘Operation Sindoor’ and stand with the families of the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack,” he stated firmly. This was the first time India and Pakistan faced each other since the attack, making the match much more than just a contest of bat and ball.

Interestingly, the frostiness between the two sides was apparent even before the first ball was bowled. At the toss, Suryakumar avoided the usual handshake with Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, offering only a polite nod. This set the tone for what would follow at the conclusion of the match. While India dominated the game in all departments, the lack of customary post-match interaction overshadowed their commanding performance.

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The incident has added further drama to an already intense rivalry. With both India and Pakistan expected to possibly meet again twice before the end of the Asia Cup 2025, the stakes have been raised not just on the field but off it as well. Fans and analysts are divided over whether India’s actions were justified or if they crossed the line of sportsmanship. Supporters of the Indian team believe the gesture was a powerful message of unity and patriotism, while critics argue that cricket should remain separate from politics and conflict.

Regardless of perspective, one thing is clear: this episode has reignited discussions about the thin line between sportsmanship and national sentiment. As the ACC reviews Pakistan’s complaint, the cricketing world watches closely to see how this controversy unfolds. The next time these two giants of cricket face each other, the handshake—or lack thereof—may once again become the biggest talking point of the night.

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