No Handshake 2.0: In a highly charged Super Fours clash of the Asia Cup 2025, Indian players notably avoided the customary post-match handshakes with their Pakistani counterparts following a dominant six-wicket victory in Dubai on Sunday.
As Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma sealed the win for India, both players promptly walked off the field without acknowledging the Pakistan team. This gesture came amid rising tensions that began at the toss, where India captain Suryakumar Yadav also refrained from shaking hands with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha.
This marks the second instance during the tournament where Indian players have sidestepped the traditional handshake with Pakistan. Earlier, India had secured a seven-wicket win in the group stage, with key batters Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube leaving the field without greeting Pakistan’s players. That match had also seen Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha boycott the post-match presentation as a form of protest. However, after Sunday’s encounter, Salman returned to attend the ceremony, signaling a slight easing of the earlier friction.
The tension between the two cricketing giants escalated off the field as well. Pakistan had threatened to boycott the Asia Cup, demanding punitive action against match referee Andy Pycroft over controversial decisions in the group stage game. Although Pycroft later issued an apology, Pakistan decided to continue participating in the tournament.
As the Asia Cup progresses, the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan continues to grab headlines, both for on-field performances and off-field controversies. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if diplomacy returns or if the high-voltage cricket clashes keep fueling the drama.
