The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan Asia Cup clash on September 14 may have ended on the field, but the drama continues to dominate headlines off it. The latest twist in the so-called “handshake-gate” has seen the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly weigh a formal complaint against India’s T20 skipper, Suryakumar Yadav.
Their objection stems from Suryakumar’s post-match remarks, where he dedicated India’s seven-wicket victory to “our armed forces who took part in Operation Sindoor” while also expressing solidarity with families affected by the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
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According to reports, the PCB views this as a political statement delivered on a cricketing stage, something they argue goes against the spirit of the sport. Adding fuel to the fire, Pakistan players were said to be visibly unhappy after India declined to engage in the customary pre- and post-match handshake, breaking with one of cricket’s long-standing traditions of goodwill and respect.
Some #INDvsPAK update: The @ICC till now hasn’t received any official complaint from @TheRealPCB with regards to @surya_14kumar post match presentation comment. The complaint needs to be filed in 7 days (till 21st) and it is for #PakistanCricket boss #Naqvi Saheb to prove what…
— Kushan Sarkar (@kushansarkar) September 18, 2025
Former PCB chairman and ex-captain Ramiz Raja also weighed in, voicing his disapproval. “My biggest objection was what was said in the post-match presentation by Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav. That statement was the critical point,” he noted.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has now given Pakistan until Sunday to file a formal complaint if they intend to push the matter further.
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With another high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash lined up on September 21 in the Super 4 stage, the rivalry is heating up beyond the boundary. Instead of cricketing brilliance taking centre stage, political undertones and controversy threaten to steal the spotlight.
