Asia Cup 2025: India Skip Handshake, Shut Dressing Room Door on Pakistan | Video

In a move that drew global attention, Team India opted not to shake hands with Pakistan's players before and after their Asia Cup T20 clash in Dubai. Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav clarified that the decision was not his alone but was taken in alignment with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian government.

During the toss, Suryakumar avoided the customary handshake with Pakistan skipper Salman Agha and also refrained from exchanging team sheets directly. The post-match handshake, a long-standing gesture of sportsmanship, was also skipped after India's seven-wicket win, where Suryakumar sealed victory with a six off Pakistan bowler Sufian Muqeem.

When questioned, the Indian captain said the call was beyond individual players. "Our government and BCCI, we were aligned today. Rest, we took a call," he stated, adding that certain things transcend the spirit of the game. He further dedicated India's win to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and the Indian armed forces.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its displeasure over the incident. Team manager Ameeruddin Ansari lodged a protest with the match referee, accusing him of requesting captains not to shake hands. Head coach Mike Hesson said Pakistan's players were prepared to follow tradition but were disappointed by India's stance.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha also skipped the post-match presentation ceremony, intensifying speculation of a diplomatic snub on both sides.

The decision comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed several civilian lives. Calls for India to boycott matches against Pakistan had grown stronger in the wake of the attack, and the lack of a handshake appeared to reflect the political and public mood at home.

The development highlights once again how cricket between India and Pakistan remains deeply tied to geopolitics, with even routine acts of sportsmanship turning into symbolic gestures.