The Asia Cup 2025 has been marred by controversy after the Indian team's refusal to shake hands with Pakistani players following their recent match. This incident has sparked outrage and led to tense exchanges, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodging a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of contributing to the situation. The PCB demanded Pycroft's removal from the tournament, but the ICC rejected the request.
In response, reports surfaced that the PCB was considering boycotting their Asia Cup match against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Ultimately, Pakistan did not send their team to the ground for the match against UAE, resulting in a walkover win for the UAE and Pakistan's elimination from the tournament.
Amidst this turmoil, former Indian captain Kapil Dev has urged both sides to focus on cricket and not make a big deal out of "minuscule issues". He believes that whether or not to shake hands is a personal choice and should not be blown out of proportion.
Kapil Dev stated, "These are all small things. One should focus on playing cricket. If someone does not want to shake hands, there is no need to make a big issue out of it for both sides". He further added, "It is not right to give wrong statements, but some cricketers give statements that become controversial...Pakistan did not play good cricket; they need to work on it. It is one's personal choice whether they want to shake hands or hug".
The handshake controversy arose after the Indian team allegedly refused to shake hands with Pakistani players after their match. The PCB claimed that Pycroft had informed Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha at the toss that no handshakes would occur, which they argued goes against tradition. Some reports suggest the Indian players refrained from shaking hands to honor the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Kapil Dev has downplayed the significance of handshakes, emphasizing that they are customary but not mandatory. He expressed his frustration with the drama surrounding the handshake and Pycroft, cautioning Pakistan against making "wrong statements".
Despite the controversies, Kapil Dev remains optimistic about India's chances in the Asia Cup 2025. He believes the Indian team has been performing well and is well-organized, expressing hope that they will win the tournament. India has already qualified for the Super Four stage after winning their group stage matches against UAE and Pakistan. India will face Pakistan again in the Super Four stage on September 21.
The incident has raised concerns about sportsmanship and the increasing politicization of cricket in the subcontinent. Some voices in India had called for a boycott of the match against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has stated that they will respect the Indian government's decision regarding sports relations with Pakistan, which includes not playing bilateral series in Pakistan.
