The highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan has once again been marred by diplomatic tensions, as Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declined to shake hands with his Pakistani counterpart, Salman Ali Agha, during the toss for their Super Four match on Sunday. This marks the second consecutive instance of such an occurrence in the tournament, underscoring the persistent animosity between the two cricketing rivals.

The incident occurred at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where India won the toss and opted to field first. Following the toss, Yadav shook hands with match referee Andy Pycroft but then proceeded to bypass Agha, moving directly to Ravi Shastri and even sharing an embrace with him, before returning to the Indian dressing room. This action has reignited the handshake controversy that emerged from their previous encounter in the group stage.

The decision to abstain from the customary handshake was reportedly endorsed by a senior member of the Indian team's support staff and cleared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). It is understood that this decision was intended as a display of solidarity with the families of the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Following India's victory in their previous match against Pakistan, Yadav dedicated the win to the Indian armed forces and asserted his team's support for the victims of the attack.

The political tensions between India and Pakistan have long cast a shadow over their cricketing encounters. The two nations have only competed on neutral territory for many years, and this Asia Cup is no exception, being held in the United Arab Emirates. The current series marks their first on-field meeting since the military conflict between the two countries earlier this year.

Following the previous match, where the Indian players also refused to shake hands, Pakistan lodged a protest against match referee Andy Pycroft, accusing him of condoning unsportsmanlike behavior. They demanded his removal and, when that was not heeded, requested an apology before their subsequent match against the United Arab Emirates, which was delayed by an hour. Pycroft did issue an apology, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) assured an inquiry.

Yadav stated after the previous game against Pakistan that the Indian team was following BCCI and government instructions regarding the handshake protocol. He also chose not to directly address the issue during a press conference, instead emphasizing the team's focus on performance and preparation.

The incident has triggered mixed reactions, with some fans calling for boycotts and others criticizing the perceived lack of sportsmanship. Despite the controversies, both India and Pakistan have qualified for the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, along with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.