In a striking departure from sporting convention, India&rsquo;s cricketers refrained from shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts during and after Sunday&rsquo;s Asia Cup match in Dubai. The gesture, or lack thereof, was a show of solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives in April.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, who turned 35 on match day, avoided even the customary exchange at the toss with Pakistan&rsquo;s Salman Agha. Later, after guiding his team to a comprehensive seven-wicket win, he and teammate Shivam Dube walked straight off the field without acknowledging the opposition.
The Pakistan team initially moved toward the Indian dressing room but retreated after realising India&rsquo;s players had no intention of engaging. In protest, Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lodged a formal complaint against match referee Andy Pycroft, alleging he had advised captains against handshakes.
Suryakumar later clarified that the decision was coordinated with the government and the BCCI. He said the victory was dedicated to the victims&rsquo; families and to Indian security forces involved in Operation Sindoor. &ldquo;Some things go beyond sportsmanship,&rdquo; he emphasised.
While the match itself was free of heated exchanges, the absence of handshakes has intensified the already fraught political and sporting rivalry. With the PCB registering its displeasure and India&rsquo;s stance rooted in national solidarity, the controversy appears far from over.

India avoids handshake with Pakistan in Asia Cup, citing Pahalgam terror attack solidarity

India Snubs Handshakes in Asia Cup Clash

India avoids handshake with Pakistan in Asia Cup, citing Pahalgam terror attack solidarity

September 15, 2025 | 15:06 IST