The Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan in Dubai was marred by an unusual incident during the pre-match ceremonies. As the Pakistan team lined up for their national anthem, the stadium DJ mistakenly played the Bollywood song "Jalebi Baby" by Tesher and Jason Derulo.
The incident, which lasted for approximately six seconds, left the Pakistani players bewildered. The DJ quickly corrected the error and played the Pakistan national anthem.
The gaffe quickly went viral on the internet, drawing mixed reactions from fans.
The incident occurred shortly after another unusual moment at the toss, where the captains of India and Pakistan, Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Ali Agha, respectively, avoided eye contact and did not shake hands. This break from customary sportsmanship added to the already tense atmosphere surrounding the match.
Some reports suggest that the decision to forgo the handshake was a deliberate act of protest from the Indian side, related to ongoing political tensions between the two countries. Al Jazeera reported that India's captain confirmed his squad opted against shaking hands with their opponents as a mark of protest.
Adding to the sense of unease, the match was played in a stadium with many empty seats, possibly reflecting calls for a boycott due to the strained relationship between India and Pakistan. Opposition parties in India staged protests against the match, urging people to boycott it.
Despite the off-field controversies, the match proceeded, with India securing a dominant seven-wicket victory over Pakistan. India chased down a target of 128 runs with more than four overs to spare. Kuldeep Yadav's left-arm spin proved crucial, while Suryakumar Yadav contributed a composed captain's innings.
However, the game concluded on another sour note when the Indian players skipped the customary post-match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. This decision was reportedly endorsed by a member of the support staff and approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Pakistan's captain and coach approached the Indian camp, but no Indian players came out to acknowledge them.
The on-field performance of the Indian team was dominant, with their spinners proving particularly effective. Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy stifled the Pakistani batsmen, bowling a combined 40 dot balls. Jasprit Bumrah added another 15 dots, further increasing the pressure. Pakistan struggled to 127 for nine, salvaged by Shaheen Shah Afridi's late hitting.
The "Jalebi Baby" incident, combined with the handshake controversies and boycott calls, underscored the political tensions that continue to overshadow sporting events between India and Pakistan.
