Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, has officially protested with match referee Andy Pycroft after India refused to shake hands following their emphatic seven-wicket victory in the Asia Cup 2025 Group A clash on Sunday at the Dubai International Stadium. The post-match incident, quickly dubbed “handshake gate” by fans online, has added a new layer of controversy to an already heated contest.
The build-up to the high-voltage clash had been tense. Calls for a boycott echoed across India after the Pahalgam terror attack in April, which claimed 26 lives, and India’s subsequent ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting terror camps across the border. Despite political tensions, the fixture proceeded under the Asian Cricket Council’s mandate, but emotions clearly spilt over once the game concluded.
In an official statement shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Cheema claimed India’s actions were “against the spirit of sports.” According to the PCB, match referee Pycroft had only informed Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha before the toss that there would be no handshake between captains. However, no directive was given for the traditional post-match routine.
WATCH – Suryakumar Yadav On India Skipping Handshake With Pakistan: “Some Things Are Beyond Sportsman Spirit”
Adding to the drama, Salman Ali Agha also skipped the post-match presentation with broadcaster Sony, snubbing presenter Sanjay Manjrekar in protest. “Salman Ali Agha skipped the post-match presentation in protest against the behaviour of the Indian team,” the PCB statement clarified.
Pakistan file complaint with Asian Cricket Council over India’s post-match handshake snub
News18’s @ShivaniGupta_5 with details
“Right message has been sent by the Indian Captain and the team”: Former J&K DGP @spvaid@kritsween | #INDvPAK #IndiaVsPakistan #AsiaCup2025 pic.twitter.com/rsJRszBUYS
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The evening began on a frosty note as Suryakumar Yadav and Salman Agha did not shake hands before the toss. However, many dismissed it as insignificant since Surya had done the same against UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem. But tensions reached their peak once India wrapped up the chase. Suryakumar sealed the match with a towering six and, along with Shivam Dube, rushed straight into the dressing room without acknowledging Pakistan’s players.
Moments later, Agha, coach Mike Hesson, and the entire Pakistan team walked towards the Indian dugout for the customary handshakes, only to find the dressing room doors shut. The gesture left the Pakistani contingent stunned, and Hesson reportedly expressed his frustration in the press conference, stating his team was ready for the handshake but “there was no reciprocation from the other side.”
WATCH – India Lock Dressing Room, Snub Handshake With Pakistan After Asia Cup Win
Meanwhile, Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav defended his team’s stance, dedicating the win to the armed forces. “We stand by the families of the victims of the Pahalgam attack. We dedicate this victory to our armed forces who showed immense bravery. Some things are beyond sportsmanship, and we felt this was the right call,” Surya said at the post-match presentation.
The controversy has now sparked a fresh debate about the intersection of cricket and geopolitics, with fans and experts divided. While India dominated Pakistan on the field, the events off it may linger as one of the most talked-about episodes of the Asia Cup 2025.
