Photo:AFP

The recent Asia Cup 2025 match between India and Pakistan has sparked a new controversy in international cricket. The incident revolves around Team India’s decision to avoid handshakes with the Pakistani players before and after the match. This unusual move has led the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to officially lodge a protest, calling India’s behavior unsportsmanlike and against the spirit of cricket.

What Happened

Before the match, Team India informed the match referee, Andy Pycroft, that they did not wish to shake hands with the Pakistan players. This decision was reportedly made to honor Indian soldiers who lost their lives in Operation Sindoor, as well as civilians affected by the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

The PCB confirmed that the Pakistani captain, Salman Ali Agha, was advised by the match referee not to approach Suryakumar Yadav or other Indian players for handshakes. Despite this, the Pakistan team tried to engage in friendly gestures by approaching the Indian dressing room, but the Indian players did not respond.

Even after the match ended, the Indian team went straight to their dressing room, avoiding post-match interactions with Pakistan players. Captain Salman Ali Agha also chose to skip the post-match presentation ceremony in protest, as the host was from the Indian team.

PCB’s Official Statement

In a statement, the PCB expressed disappointment over India’s decision and confirmed lodging an official protest. The board described India’s behavior as “against the spirit of sports” and “unsportsmanlike.” The PCB emphasized that the team had followed proper sportsmanship protocols but could not engage with the Indian players due to the instructions from the match referee and India’s team decision.

“Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest against the behaviour of the Indian team,” the statement said.

Reactions and Global Attention

The incident has attracted attention from cricket fans and media worldwide. Many observers noted that cricket matches between India and Pakistan are always highly emotional due to the long-standing rivalry between the two nations. While most cricketing encounters are played in a friendly spirit, events like this highlight how political and social factors sometimes influence the sport.

Some fans have expressed support for India, saying honoring soldiers and victims of attacks is important. Others argue that sportsmanship should remain separate from political issues, emphasizing that gestures like handshakes are part of cricket’s spirit.

The Importance of Sportsmanship

Cricket is known as a gentleman’s game, where respect between players is a key value. Handshakes, high-fives, and friendly interactions are symbols of this respect, and avoiding them sends a strong message. For young cricket fans and future players, incidents like this underline the delicate balance between personal or national sentiments and the universal values of sportsmanship.

What Comes Next

The Asia Cup organizers and the International Cricket Council (ICC) are expected to review the incident. It remains to be seen whether any formal actions or guidelines will be issued to prevent similar situations in the future. Both teams will likely be reminded about the importance of respecting traditions and maintaining cordial relations, regardless of on-field rivalry or off-field issues.

Meanwhile, cricket fans continue to debate the incident online, with many expressing strong opinions on both sides. Analysts suggest that such controversies, while unfortunate, also demonstrate how deeply cricket is intertwined with national pride and emotions in the Indian subcontinent.

The ‘No Handshake’ incident in the Asia Cup 2025 has created tension between the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams. While India aimed to honor its soldiers and victims, the Pakistani side felt disrespected and lodged an official protest. This controversy is a reminder of the challenges of maintaining sportsmanship in highly charged matches, especially between two nations with a rich but complicated cricketing history.

As the ICC reviews the protest, players, fans, and boards will hope for lessons that strengthen mutual respect on and off the field, ensuring cricket remains a sport that unites rather than divides.