The India-Pakistan rivalry at the Asia Cup 2025 has been marked by more than just on-field competition, as Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has twice declined to shake hands with Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha, sparking considerable debate and reactions from fans and officials.

The first instance occurred after India's seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the group stage. Following the win, the Indian team, led by Yadav, refrained from the customary post-match handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. This decision was reportedly made to express solidarity with the families of the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people lost their lives. Yadav also dedicated the victory to the Indian armed forces.

The decision drew immediate reactions. Suryakumar Yadav stated, "I feel few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit... We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack... We stand with their families also to express our solidarity". Some viewed the gesture as a strong statement on the intersection of sports and geopolitics.

However, the move was not without its critics. Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), expressed his disappointment, calling it a violation of the spirit of sportsmanship and suggesting that politics should not be brought into the game. "Utterly disappointed by the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let's hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace," Naqvi posted on X.

Adding to the controversy, reports emerged that Pakistan considered withdrawing from the tournament in protest. They also protested to the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the match referee, Andy Pycroft, who they claimed had told Agha not to approach Yadav for a handshake. The PCB demanded Pycroft's removal from their matches.

In response to the criticism, Yadav emphasized the importance of focusing on the team's performance and blocking out external noise. He noted that the team was aligned with the government and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in their decision.

The drama continued on Sunday, September 21, 2025, during the Super Four stage match between the two sides. Suryakumar Yadav again avoided shaking hands with Salman Ali Agha at the toss. This repeated action further fueled the controversy and sparked renewed debate among fans and commentators.

Amidst the handshake controversy, Pakistan cancelled their pre-match press conference for the second consecutive time in the Asia Cup, fueling speculation about unrest within the camp. Adding to the intrigue, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf was reportedly heard shouting "6-0" during a practice session before the Super 4 match, possibly referencing Pakistan's losing record against India in major tournaments.

Despite the tensions, Yadav remained focused on the cricket, praising his team's performance and looking ahead to theSuper Four clash. He acknowledged the pressure surrounding the match but emphasized the need to stay clear-headed and execute their plans. "I've been very clear with all the boys. I think it is very important that if you want to do well in this tournament, and going forward, we will have to shut a lot of noise from outside," Yadav said.