India Sticks to No-Handshake Policy During U-19 Asia Cup Clash vs Pakistan

The U-19 Asia Cup match between India and Pakistan in Dubai featured a no-handshake stance, aligned with ICC guidance to keep politics out of junior cricket. The decision, initiated in response to earlier incidents, influenced team interactions and required match officials to monitor the policy, while weather also affected the schedule.

India’s no-handshake stand remained in place during the U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan clash at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai on Sunday, despite the International Cricket Council requesting neutral behaviour in junior events. The match is the second Group A fixture for both sides.

The update on the game, including the off-field stand-off, came as the tournament page tracked “India vs Pakistan LIVE Score, U-19 Asia Cup 2025”. The contest formed part of a busy schedule, with the coverage noting it was updated on Dec 14, 2025, 12:08 pm IST.

U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan handshake stance and ICC request

Ahead of this high-profile meeting, a PTI report stated that the ICC wanted politics kept away from under-19 cricket. The governing body urged India to end the no-handshake approach, but also clarified that the final call rested with the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

The report added that ICC officials asked the BCCI to at least alert the match referee in advance if the U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan handshake policy continued. This direction came after the stance first appeared during the senior Asia Cup held in Dubai in September.

U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan background and past matches

The no-handshake move began as a show of support for the Indian Army and those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack. The same approach was later used in matches against Pakistan at the Women’s ODI World Cup and the Rising Stars Asia Cup T20, before resurfacing in the U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan game.

On the field, the U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan meeting featured two in-form teams in Group A. India came in after a 234-run victory over hosts United Arab Emirates, while Pakistan entered the clash following a 297-run win against Malaysia in their opening match.

At the toss for the U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan fixture, Pakistan captain Farhan Yousuf chose to bowl first. India captain Ayush Mhatre stood behind Yousuf and did not extend a hand. After a short chat with the presenter, Yousuf passed the microphone to Mhatre and walked off without eye contact.

Weather also played a part in the U-19 Asia Cup India vs Pakistan match. Rain in Dubai pushed the scheduled 10:30 am IST start back by nearly thirty minutes. The delay forced officials to trim the contest to 49 overs per side, while the no-handshake storyline continued to draw attention.