The Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan concluded with India securing a decisive victory, but the aftermath was dominated by controversy surrounding the absence of the customary post-match handshake. This sparked a series of events, including protests, threats of boycotts, and diplomatic maneuvering, ultimately highlighting the complex relationship between sports and politics in the region.
Following India's win, the Indian team, led by Captain Suryakumar Yadav, chose not to engage in the traditional handshake with the Pakistani players. Yadav stated that this decision was aligned with the government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and was made in solidarity with the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and in support of the Indian Armed Forces' Operation Sindoor.
This action drew immediate criticism from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his disappointment, calling it a "lack of sportsmanship" and stating that "dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports". Pakistan's manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, lodged a formal protest with the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee, Andy Pycroft. Adding to the tension, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha declined to attend the post-match presentation ceremony in protest.
The situation escalated when the PCB claimed that Pycroft had instructed both captains to skip the pre-match handshake and prevented the customary exchange of team sheets, alleging bias. The PCB demanded Pycroft's removal from officiating duties for the remaining matches. This demand was rejected by the ICC.
Amidst these developments, rumors circulated that Pakistan might boycott their subsequent match against the UAE. The team remained at their hotel, delaying the start of the game, as negotiations continued behind the scenes. Ultimately, Pakistan decided to participate in the match after Pycroft apologized for a "miscommunication". However, sources indicate that the apology was specifically regarding the events at the toss, where the handshake was also skipped, and not directly related to the post-match incident. The ICC also stated its willingness to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia downplayed the controversy, emphasizing the importance of celebrating India's victory and dismissing the "noise created by some third party or hostile countries". A senior BCCI official noted that shaking hands is merely a goodwill gesture and not a mandatory rule.
The incident sparked diverse reactions on social media. Some Pakistani netizens criticized India for a lack of sportsmanship, while others refused to believe that India declined the handshake. In India, some defended the team's decision as a justified response to the political climate and a show of solidarity with the victims of terrorism.
Ultimately, Pakistan's threat of a boycott proved unsuccessful, with the ICC standing by its appointed match referee and no official demands being met. While Pycroft apologized for the "miscommunication" at the toss, the core issue of the handshake snub remained a point of contention. The incident underscores the persistent tensions between India and Pakistan and how these tensions can easily spill over into the realm of sports. Despite the controversy, the Asia Cup continued, with Pakistan participating in their subsequent matches, but the handshake incident left a lingering shadow over the tournament.
