Following India's seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2025 Group A match held in Dubai, controversy erupted as the Indian team refrained from the customary post-match handshake. Pakistan's coach, Mike Hesson, expressed his disappointment, stating that the Men in Green were ready to engage in the traditional gesture, but the Indian players walked away.
Hesson revealed that this perceived snub led to Pakistan's captain, Salman Agha, skipping the post-match presentation. He stated, "We wanted to shake hands but [were] disappointed that the opposition didn't do that... Pakistan captain Salman not coming for [the] post-match presentation was [a] cause and effect after what happened". Hesson further elaborated that the team was keen to engage in the handshake and were disappointed when it didn't occur. He added, "We sort of went over there to shake hands and they were already going to the changing room. That was a disappointing way for the match to play".
In response, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav indicated that the decision was aligned with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the government, citing matters "ahead of sportsman spirit". Yadav stated, "We took a call as we came here to only play. We gave a proper reply... (A) few things are ahead of sportsman spirit. We stand with all victims of [the] Pahalgam terror attack and dedicate it to [the] armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor". Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, echoed his captain's sentiments.
The match was the first encounter between the two arch-rivals since the Pahalgam terror attacks earlier in the year, which resulted in retaliatory military action from India. India had also recently announced a sports policy that prohibits bilateral events with Pakistan but allows them to compete in multilateral international tournaments.
According to Al Jazeera, the match referee, Andy Pycroft, had asked Yadav and Agha to skip the pre-toss handshake. The report also stated that match officials granted India permission to skip the post-match handshakes but did not inform Agha or his team. Pakistan's manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, reportedly lodged a protest with Pycroft, and an official stated that the umpires had allowed India to walk off without shaking hands, for which the match referee apologized after the protest.
The Economic Times reported that Pakistan lodged a protest with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) regarding the incident. The incident has sparked considerable debate, with some observers viewing it as a breach of sportsmanship, while others understand India's stance considering the existing political tensions and the recent terror attacks.
The Asia Cup 2025 is being held in the United Arab Emirates from September 9 to 28, with matches played in the T20I format. The tournament features eight teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Hong Kong.
