The cricketing rivalry between India and Pakistan took a controversial turn during the Asia Cup 2025 match held on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. Suryakumar Yadav took the Indian side home against Pakistan in a one sided 7 wicket victory. Unfortunately, all the post-match controversy overshadowed their incredible on-field victory. In a notable show of protest, the Indian players opted against the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts, sparking discussions about sportsmanship and political tensions.
The motivation to avoid handshakes came after a shocking four-day cross-border war that flared up in May. After this prolonged conflict came to a close with an internationally-brokered ceasefire, wounds remained and hard feelings prevailed. Yadav confirmed that the Indian squad’s stance was a “perfect reply” to the situation, emphasizing that “a few things in life are above sportsman’s spirit.”
Match Overview
The clash on the field turned out to be an electric political and sporting showdown, encapsulating both athletic ability and struggle, political disposition. Yadav was the central figure in the low-scoring contest for India, hitting the winning runs to secure victory. The Indian team displayed such poise, precision and purpose on the field – what a display! Their win propels them further up the rankings in battle round of the ongoing tournament.
In the lead-up to the match, Yadav had shared warm greetings with Pakistan skipper Salman Agha before the toss. The post-match dynamics were starkly different. The Indian team refused to play and walked off the field, avoiding the customary post-match handshake. It meant that Pakistan players were left waiting for a courtesy that was never extended.
“We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game, but our opposition did not do that,” – Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s head coach.
Given those developments, Hesson pointed out that this was a very immediate second-order effect from Indian activity.
Reactions and Protests
The handshake refusal drew fire from both teams, officials on the field and to immediate reaction. Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, filed an official protest over the Indian team’s behavior with the match referee. The match officials had accepted in advance the Indian team’s decision to forgo the customary handshakes.
Hesson noted that his Pakistani players were surprised by India’s move. He mentioned, “We sort of went over there to shake hands, and they had already gone into the changing room.” This disengagement, according to many, was seen as a continuation of an already heightened geopolitical friction between the two countries.
Former Pakistan cricketer Mohsin Naqvi angry at ‘poor sportsmanship’ shown by India. It was just totally disappointing to see the complete absence of sportsmanship and sportswomanship here today. Dragging partisanship into the game would be at odds with the heart and soul of sports. His remarks come amidst an increasing alarm that intense political disagreements are interfering with the sacred domain of sport.
Future Implications
Looking ahead, both teams are poised for potential encounters in the Asia Cup if they qualify for the Super Four stage. This prospect only increases the excitement and drama of their budding feud. Predictably, fans and pundits as well have already focused attention on what future matches might look like under the new setup.
Suryakumar Yadav dedicated India’s victory to those affected by recent violence in Pahalgam, stating, “We stand with all the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and with their families, and dedicate this win to our brave armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor.” This quote illustrates just how deeply national feelings and sports can intertwine during such tumultuous times.
