There were no handshakes at the toss, and none after the match either in India vs Pakistan first faceoff in the Asia Cup 2025
A recent cricket match between the subcontinent archrivals India and Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai concluded not with the usual spirit of sportsmanship, but with a highly charged political statement. India’s seven-wicket victory against Pakistan was overshadowed by the Indian team’s controversial decision to refuse the traditional post-match handshake.
In defense to the player’s morality; captain Suryakumar confirmed that the players were ordered to give this reaction in protest to the ongoing political tensions, which raised this question: Is the Indian government responding to its military incompetency against Pakistan through the channel of Cricket, a sport? Consequently, this attitude has ignited a global debate about the increasingly blurred line between sports and politics. (Reuters+1)
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India vs Pakistan: A Game of Runs or Rivalries?
A Match Steeped in Political Tension | India vs Pakistan
The fixture became a highly anticipated event because of a four-day cross-border conflict that occurred only months before the match that had brought both countries to the brink of an all-out war. This bitter tension began as a result of a snowball effect after an attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir in April, which killed 26 people who were Hindu residents, therefore ultimately this conspiracy based attack was pinned on the shoulders of Pakistan without any impartial investigation on the case. (Reuters)
The teams agreed to play the scheduled fixture. However, from the start we could see that the match started off hinting a sense of reluctant obligation from the Indian team while team Pakistan didn’t seem to be under any influence of external tensions and treated this encounter like any other. (The Times of India)
Breaking Tradition: The Refusal to Shake Hands | India vs Pakistan
The match was played against the backdrop of heightened political tensions between India and Pakistan
Read more: India vs Pakistan – It’s WAR! Asia Cup 2025 (What went down that day)
A customary handshake on the field after a match is a gesture that’s in place to defuse any possible tension among playing teams. However, Indian team’s attitude made it clear that the baggage of ongoing political tensions between two countries have been channeled a way out through cricket encounter while team Pakistan was ready to treat this fixture like any other fixture putting other tensions behind which is the kind of sportsmanship and professionalism that the Indian team lacked.
Following their dominant victory, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav and his team walked directly off the field, leaving Pakistan’s players waiting on the boundary rope. India had signalled its stance beforehand, and later framed the act as a political statement in lockstep with cricket and government administrators. Coverage across Indian and international outlets confirmed the timeline and policy alignment. (The Times of India+1)
In the ICC Code of Conduct, the explicit mention of a handshake is not present and Indian board voices noted the absence of a codified obligation leading to complications in calls for sanctions. (Hindustan Times+1)
Pakistan’s Response & the Contradictions Exposed | India vs Pakistan
However, Pakistan team manager did register a formal objection and challenged the appointed match referee, Andy Pycroft, citing it lack of proper communication around bending the norms for this match. The PCB clarified that there were no explicit instructions relating to “no handshake” between the teams leaving Pakistan waiting for a gesture that was planned to be skipped. This miscommunication had escalated tensions between teams of countries with an already intensified ongoing political situation rather than easing them through sports. (The Times of India)
The on-camera interactions of Indian captain Surya with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi contradicted his statement a moment ago where he was seen shaking hands with him. This further fueled debate on the nature and target of the protest. And invited questions about where lines were being drawn. (The Times of India)
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India vs Pakistan | From Stalemate to Apology: Pakistan Back in the Asia Cup 2025
The controversial action of the Indian team towards team Pakistan in particular led PCB to consider boycotting the tournament completely as a protest from the Pakistan team. However, conversations with the ACC and ICC followed shortly along with an apology from Andy Pycroft, who described the entire episode as unintentional “miscommunication”.
Following this apology, the team was allowed to play against the UAE after delaying the match for an hour whilst the decision was being made by PCB. and Pakistan won. The win also set up a looming rematch with India in the Super 4, keeping the cricket narrative very much alive. (The Express Tribune+2ESPN Cricinfo+2)
The ICC Referee Andy Pycroft Apologizing to PCB & Salman Ali Agha
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Moreover, when PCB requested to remove Pycroft, the request was rejected by ICC stating this request could lead to undermining the independence of the appointment system by creating a sense of bias or favoritism. The authorities preferred to keep things as they are in the spirit of stability at least until the inquiry/investigation is finished. (The Express Tribune+1)
What Happened on the Field: Scorelines and Stakes | Pakistan vs UAE
Among all the No handshake ambiguity, the actual game concluded with India winning the match by seven wickets to top the group. Days later, Pakistan 146-9 and UAE 105 all out played out after the delay, Pakistan’s spin and late-overs hitting led to a win for Pakistan.
This win opened the doors to a rematch between India and Pakistan in which fans must expect huge media coverage, heavy security presence, and worldwide audience attention. (Reuters+1)
Spirit vs Statute: Handshakes, Laws, and the “Spirit of Cricket”
In actuality, the laws of MCC or ICC don’t explicitly state a handshake. And because it doesn’t confine the teams to any strict rule or gestures, the administrators and match officials play with the grey area of this law. especially when political tensions influence the game. That is why this controversy highlights absence of respect, fairness, and lack of communication, rather than disputing over the rulebook. (Hindustan Times)
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Beyond the Boundary (India vs Pakistan): Money, Viewers, and Fan Fatigue
India vs Pakistan matches always attract massive attention and huge monetary gains. This particular fixture attracted sponsors who used the controversy to grab more reach. While other advertisers backed off due to uncertainty and political tone of the event. The ending of this match on a bitter note left many fans reacting naturally negative about the game. This caused a decrease in the spike as is recorded generally in this fixture. (NDTV Sports+1)
The spirit of sports and fans both got compromised on 14 September 2025, Fans arrived at the event because of a passion for cricket and an escape from their routine life. And left in a state of being hurt after experiencing politicization of cricket.
What Comes Next? India vs Pakistan Rematch Mathematics & Matchday Mechanics
If the fixtures are played as scheduled, India and Pakistan will compete with each other once again in a more high-profile match. Because of the DEW factor, teams winning the toss prefer to bat second. As playing under Dubai’s evening atmosphere the ball comes on to the bat better. Recent matches at this venue show that a score of around 185–190 is considered a strong total when batting first. In the Super 4 fixture of Pakistan vs India , the toss and conditions could be just as important as the rivalry. (Business Standard+1)
Can Cricket Stay a Neutral Ground? | India vs Pakistan
India vs. Pakistan is never just about cricket because it involves multiple layers of emotions among civilians of both countries. But at the same time,when it is played, it should remain mainly about the sport, not political drama. The actual result of the match (India’s seven-wicket win) will not matter over time. But the attitude of sportsmen towards sports will go down in cricket history. This controversy questioned the fine line between winning matches and upholding values.
The next meeting is coming. Let the bat talk. Let the ball swing. And let the handshake—whenever it returns—mean something again.
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FAQs — India vs Pakistan | Asia Cup 2025
Q: Why did India refuse to shake hands with Pakistan?
India framed it as a principled stance aligned with administrators and government, not a breach of a specific law. The ICC Code cites “spirit of the game,” but no handshake mandate exists. (NDTV Sports+1)
Q: Did Pakistan boycott the tournament?
No. Pakistan delayed its UAE game by an hour while lodging protests. After a meeting and a Pycroft apology for “miscommunication,” Pakistan played and won. (The Express Tribune+1)
Q: Is the referee being replaced?
The ICC rejected calls to remove Andy Pycroft, citing policy and precedent, though it agreed to review the episode. (The Express Tribune+1)
Q: What’s the likely par score in a Dubai night T20?
Recent games suggest 185–190 is genuinely competitive; chasing teams often benefit from dew. (Business Standard+1)
Q: Will India and Pakistan meet again in this Asia Cup?
Yes, a rematch is slated in the Super 4 round, with the possibility of a final as well if both progress. (Reuters)
References
- Reuter — “Pakistan gearing up for India rematch…” Context on seven-wicket win and rematch scenario; political backdrop.
- The Times of India — “Why handshakes matter in cricket…” Protocols, spirit vs rules; pre/post-match context.
- NDTV Sports — BCCI official on handshake custom Technical view on non-mandatory handshake; board stance.
- AP News — “Pakistan sets aside handshake dispute… UAE out” Delay, apology, and match result summary.
- The Express Tribune (Pakistan) — “Pakistan back in Asia Cup after referee apology” Details on meeting, apology, and PCB stance.
- ESPN Cricinfo — “Pakistan-UAE match begins after delay…” Timeline of delay, Pycroft’s role, PCB communications.
- The Express Tribune (Pakistan) — “ICC rejects PCB’s complaint…” ICC decision to keep Pycroft on duty.
- The Tribune (India) — “ICC rejects PCB demand… after delay” Parallel reporting on ICC position and apology.
- Business Standard — Dubai pitch report & chasing bias Venue trendlines useful for par-score guidance.
- Zee News — Dubai pitch averages and toss impact Additional context on dew and chasing advantage.
- Financial Express — Ad market overview On ad demand dynamics around IND-PAK.
- NDTV Sports — Ad prices and hype cycle On pricing spikes and fixture commercial gravity.
