“That was a disappointing way for the match to finish.”
Cricket’s fiercest rivalry is back under the spotlight as India and Pakistan prepare to face each other in the Asia Cup Super Four at Dubai International Stadium on September 21, 2025.
The pair have already played in the tournament, with India comfortably winning.
Going into the match, there was off-field tension due to the Pahalgam attack that killed more than 70 people earlier in 2025.
It spilt onto the field when the Indian players did not shake hands with their opponents after the match.
Amid ‘handshake-gate’, the upcoming clash will promise drama on and off the field.
Conflict Before & After the Match
India and Pakistan rarely meet outside global tournaments, which makes each contest a charged event.
The 2025 Asia Cup is their first meeting since April’s deadly conflict in Kashmir.
The violence forced international players to flee the region, disrupted both the IPL and PSL, and deepened divisions between the two cricket boards.
Tensions rose when Indian players walked off without the customary post-match handshake. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha refused to attend the presentation in protest.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson said: “We went over there to shake hands and they’d already gone into the changing room.
“That was a disappointing way for the match to finish.”
Defending the no-handshake, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav said:
“I feel a few things in life are ahead of sportsman spirit.”
He dedicated the victory to the Indian Armed Forces.
Yadav continued: “We stand with all the victims of Pahalgam terror attacks, stand with their families, and express our solidarity.
“We dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor.”
His comments sparked further backlash when former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Yousuf called him a “pig” on national television before issuing a bizarre apology online.
Handshake-Gate
The fallout from the missing handshake deepened when the Pakistan Cricket Board accused match referee Andy Pycroft of breaching ICC protocols.
The PCB claimed Pycroft told Agha before the toss that there would be no handshakes. They demanded his removal, threatening to withdraw from the tournament altogether.
The ICC dismissed the allegations:
“(Pycroft) did not breach any match protocols.
“In fact, he helped prevent potential embarrassment for both captains by informing them that the organisers had decided to skip the handshake at the toss.”
Despite the ICC’s defence, the PCB continued its protests.
Footage was circulated suggesting Pycroft had apologised, though sources insisted it was a clarification, not an apology. Pakistan’s officials, including chairman Mohsin Naqvi, insisted politics must be kept out of sport.
Naqvi said: “This is sports, and let it remain a sport.”
However, ex-chairman Ramiz Raja accused Pycroft of bias: “He is a permanent fixer over there when it comes to the Indian team. He has officiated in 90 Indian games.
“This is blatant, this is one-sided and it shouldn’t happen like that. This is a neutral platform. I just hope better sense prevails.”
India’s stance remained firm, as former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan bluntly stated:
“They have become so shameless that they want to force us into shaking hands. They insulted themselves more after filing the complaint.
“The complaint shows how immature and juvenile they are.”
“Our message was clear that we played for the ecosystem, but not to expect anything more from us because we don’t like you at all.”
#WATCH | Gurugram, Haryana | On Indian cricketers refusing to shake hands with Pakistani cricketers during yesterday’s match, Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan says, “They have become so shameless that they want to force us into shaking hands. What kind of mentality do they… pic.twitter.com/Q6or8vrPlX
— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2025
As India and Pakistan prepare to face each other again, the stakes extend far beyond cricket.
Fake quotes circulated online, angry press conferences followed, and the ICC was drawn into heated disputes.
The Asia Cup has become a battleground for political narratives as much as sporting achievements.
Pakistan captain Agha is trying to keep his team focused:
“We’re ready for any challenge. If we keep playing the way we have over the last four months, we’ll be good against any side.”
The drama shows no signs of fading and it is possible that things get even more heated on Sunday.
What should unite fans across borders remains a reminder of division, with the sport once again caught in the middle.
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