Tensions between India and Pakistan spilt over once again at the Asia Cup 2025, when Team India refused to shake hands with their arch-rivals after sealing a dominant seven-wicket victory in Dubai. What caught more attention was the Indian camp reportedly shutting the dressing room doors on Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha, who had approached for the customary post-match exchange.

According to a report by The Times of India, Agha walked toward the Indian dressing room in good faith, but no Indian player emerged. This gesture — or the lack of it — left Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson visibly annoyed. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Hesson confirmed Pakistan’s willingness to uphold the sporting tradition but said the opposition made no effort to reciprocate.

“We were ready to shake hands at the end of the game. We are disappointed that our opposition did not do that. We went over there to shake hands, but they had already gone into the changing room. It was a disappointing way for the match to finish, especially after the way we played. Certainly, we were willing,” Mike Hesson remarked.

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The tension was apparent from the very beginning. At the toss, neither Suryakumar Yadav nor Salman Agha exchanged handshakes or even made eye contact. Once India sealed the win with Suryakumar’s towering six, the skipper and Shivam Dube walked straight to the dugout, celebrating with their own teammates rather than extending pleasantries across the aisle.

The backdrop of political strain has only added fuel to the fire. The April Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, followed by India’s retaliatory Operation Sindoor, has heightened hostility between the two nations.

In his post-match presentation, Suryakumar Yadav reinforced India’s stance, dedicating the victory to the armed forces and the victims of the Pahalgam tragedy. “Perfect occasion, taking the time out, we stand by the victims of the families of Pahalgam. We express our solidarity. We dedicate this win to all our armed forces. Hope they continue to inspire us all,” said the Indian captain.

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Interestingly, Pakistan skipper Salman Agha skipped the official post-match presentation, reportedly as a form of protest against India’s actions.

With this win, India registered their second consecutive triumph in the tournament, moving closer to Super Four qualification. And with the possibility of another India-Pakistan clash in aweeke, the rivalry seems destined to intensify further — both on and off the field.