Indian and Pakistani Hockey Teams Set Aside Tensions with High-Fives at Sultan of Johor Cup

Johor Bahru, Malaysia - In a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, the Indian and Pakistani junior hockey teams greeted each other with high-fives before their match at the Sultan of Johor Cup on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. This gesture marked a departure from the recent tensions that have marred sporting relations between the two nations, particularly following a "no-handshake" controversy during the Asia Cup cricket matches.

The high-fives precede a crucial encounter in the Sultan of Johor Cup, a prestigious annual U21 men's hockey tournament held in Malaysia. The tournament features six international teams: Pakistan, Australia, England, India, Malaysia, and New Zealand.

The gesture stands in contrast to the recent Asia Cup cricket matches where the Indian cricket team refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts. This decision followed "Operation Sindoor" and led to Pakistan lodging a formal protest with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). The Indian team also declined to accept their trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the president of the Asian Cricket Federation, who also serves as the president of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Interior Minister.

In light of the cricket controversy, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) had reportedly instructed its players to be mentally prepared for a potential "no-handshake" policy from the Indian team at the Sultan of Johor Cup. A senior PHF official stated that players were told to "ignore the gesture and move on" if the Indian players didn't offer a handshake, and to avoid any emotional confrontations during the game. The PHF emphasized that players should focus on the match and avoid getting caught up in political undertones.

Despite these instructions, the Indian team opted for a more amicable approach, lining up to exchange high-fives with the Pakistani players before the match. This act of sportsmanship has been widely appreciated as a positive step towards easing tensions in the sporting arena.

Matches between India and Pakistan have historically been charged with intensity and passion, especially in hockey. The PHF's initial guidance to their team reflected a desire to maintain focus and avoid unnecessary clashes. "The players know the magnitude of this match," a team official stated, "But they've been reminded that discipline and composure are just as important as skill and aggression".

Prior to this match, Pakistan had defeated Malaysia 7-1 in their opening game but lost to Great Britain in their second match. India currently leads the Sultan of Johor Cup standings after securing two victories.

This is the first hockey match between the two sides since the military conflict in May. Pakistan did not participate in the men's Asia Cup held in Rajgir, India, in August; Bangladesh took their place.

The high-five exchange at the Sultan of Johor Cup offers a promising sign that, even amidst political tensions, sports can serve as a bridge between nations.