The Asia Cup 2025 has witnessed an off-field storm that shows no signs of calming down. India’s refusal to shake hands with Pakistan after their group stage clash in Dubai has escalated into a diplomatic cricketing controversy, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi publicly blasting Team India for what he termed a clear lack of sportsmanship.
The match, dominated by Suryakumar Yadav, Abhishek Sharma, and Kuldeep Yadav, ended in a resounding win for India. But instead of focusing on the cricketing brilliance, headlines have been overtaken by the no handshake incident. According to reports, several Pakistan players attempted to extend hands of goodwill after the final whistle, but were ignored by the Indian side. Some even walked up to India’s dressing room, only to find the doors shut in front of them.
The PCB released a statement confirming that team manager Naveed Cheema lodged an official protest with the match referee. The board deemed the Indian team’s behavior as unsporting and against the spirit of the game. To further mark their disapproval, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation ceremony entirely.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as Asian Cricket Council chief, took to social media to express his anger. “Utterly disappointed by the lack of sportsmanship today. Dragging politics into the game goes against the very spirit of sports. Let’s hope future victories are celebrated by all teams with grace,” Naqvi wrote, accusing India of mixing politics with cricket.
On the Indian side, skipper Suryakumar Yadav clarified that the decision was not one of arrogance but of remembrance. He explained that the no handshake gesture was meant as a tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack earlier this year and a way of showing solidarity with their families. India’s team also viewed the act as honoring the armed forces who successfully carried out Operation Sindoor in the wake of the attack.
For fans, the match was the first India–Pakistan clash since the deadly incident in Kashmir, and the emotions ran high both on and off the field. While India outplayed Pakistan in all departments of the game, the fallout from the no handshake row has overshadowed the cricket itself, stirring debates about whether patriotism and politics should intersect with the spirit of sportsmanship.
As the Asia Cup 2025 continues, the controversy is expected to linger. With the possibility of India and Pakistan meeting again in the Super 4 stage or even the final, the tension between the two arch-rivals is likely to intensify, ensuring that the spotlight remains firmly on both their cricket and their conduct.
