The recent Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan has been overshadowed by a controversy stemming from India's refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani team. This decision has ignited a firestorm of criticism, prompting strong reactions from cricket legends, politicians, and fans alike.
Following India's victory over Pakistan in their Asia Cup encounter, the Indian team, led by captain Suryakumar Yadav, opted not to participate in the customary post-match handshake. This act was perceived by many as a breach of sportsmanship and a violation of the spirit of cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reacted sharply, lodging a formal protest with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and demanding the removal of match referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of bias. They alleged that Pycroft had advised Pakistan's captain, Salman Ali Agha, to refrain from shaking hands with Yadav before the match.
Yadav, however, defended his team's actions, stating that the decision was a mark of respect for the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and in solidarity with the Indian armed forces. "A few things in life are above sportsman's spirit,” Yadav stated, adding, "We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and with their families, and dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor". This explanation, however, did little to quell the outrage in Pakistan, where many felt that India was dragging politics into the sport.
The incident has triggered a significant backlash, with many questioning whether India should even be playing against Pakistan given the heightened political tensions. Mohsin Naqvi, the chairman of the PCB, expressed his disappointment, stating, "Utterly disappointed by the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports".
Adding fuel to the fire, reports emerged that the match referee, Andy Pycroft, had apologized to the Pakistani team for the "miscommunication" surrounding the handshake incident. This further angered the PCB, who felt that Pycroft's actions demonstrated a clear bias towards India. The ICC, however, rejected Pakistan's demand for Pycroft's removal, further escalating the tensions.
The controversy has also led to scrutiny of the ICC's Code of Conduct, which emphasizes the importance of sportsmanship and mutual respect. While there is no specific rule mandating handshakes, the spirit of the game is often interpreted as requiring such gestures of goodwill. Some argue that India's actions could be considered a breach of this code, potentially leading to a fine or other sanctions.
Despite the controversy, the Asia Cup tournament has continued, with both India and Pakistan advancing to the next stage. However, the handshake incident has cast a long shadow over the event, raising questions about the future of Indo-Pakistani cricket relations. As one report suggests, the incident signals the demise of cricket diplomacy, highlighting the extent to which relations between the two nations have soured.
